Venezuela vs Peru Predictions

• Venezuela are at the bottom of the table could be mathematically eliminated from reaching the World Cup finals with another defeat.
• Peru haven’t lost to their hosts in their last six meetings, although only one of those games was played in Venezuela.
• Peru played well in a 3-0 home win over Bolivia on Friday while Venezuela were beaten 1-0 by Ecuador.

Peru plotting their way through  

Just like in their run to the Copa America semi-finals this year, Peru didn’t panic after a poor start and have successfully plotted their way through South American World Cup Qualifying.

They stuck by coach Ricardo Gareca despite taking just a point from their first four games and are very much in the hunt with five games to go. That’s more than can be said for Venezuela, who are languishing at the foot of the table with just seven points and no chance of making it to Qatar.

La Vinotinto’s morale and motivation would appear to be in question after Friday’s 1-0 defeat to Ecuador, but Peru have no such issues.

Key duo for La Vinotino could be missing

La Blanquirroja will be in confident mood heading to Caracas after a comfortable 3-0 win over Bolivia last time out. Their away record isn’t a thing of beauty and neither have they won in Venezuela since 1997, but Gareca’s side are well-balanced unit at full strength going to face a demoralised opponent likely to be without two key midfielders.

Philadelphia Union star José Martínez is suspended after receiving a yellow card in Quito and Yeferson Soteldo – a nominee for MLS Player of the Year – is struggling with a muscle injury.

This looks like a great chance for Peru to go for the win that would propel them into contention for the fifth and final qualifying place from the section. Peru reached the Copa America quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Venezuela in the summer and we feel a similar result could be on the cards this time too.

*To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours