Colombia kick-off their qualification process for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a home game against one of its bordering countries, Venezuela. The head to head record over the last 21 meetings between these two nations is very close.
Colombia edge the past encounters between the pair with 8 wins, 6 draws, and 7 defeats. However, since 2016 Colombia have gone unbeaten in their last four games against Saturday’s guests, securing two wins and two draws.
¡Conocimos nuestra nueva casa! 👏🏼Así fue el primer entrenamiento de la Selección Colombia de Mayores en su sede deportiva de Barranquilla ⚽#VamosColombia 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/oTSTIggBld— Selección Colombia (@FCFSeleccionCol) October 7, 2020
¡Conocimos nuestra nueva casa! 👏🏼Así fue el primer entrenamiento de la Selección Colombia de Mayores en su sede deportiva de Barranquilla ⚽#VamosColombia 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/oTSTIggBld
During those last 21 meetings, only once has either side scored over 2.5 team goals. On that day, back in 2000, Colombia ran out 3-0 winners at home. Under 2.5 goals have been produced in 16 of the duo’s last 21 encounters, including four of their last five matches.
Venezuela have failed to score in three of their last four games against Colombia, and the hosts have kept clean sheets in four of their last five internationals.
Colombia might have had the better of Venezuela in recent seasons, but Los Cafeteros have only scored a total of 4-goals in their last four meetings with Saturday’s visitors. Forebet is expecting a tight and tense game between the pair but believes that Colombia’s extra quality will shine through.
The hosts have called-up some familiar faces for the games against Venezuela and Chile. Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina, Juan Cuadrado, James Rodriguez, and Radamel Falcao could all face Venezuela on Saturday. James Rodriguez has been in fine form for his new club Everton, providing assists and scoring goals. Colombia have claimed 1-0 wins in each of their last two international matches and have looked very strong defensively.
Venezuela have called-up a couple of very experienced international players in the form of defender Roberto Rosales and midfielder and captain Tohas Rincon.
However, the visitors look lightweight up front, and goalscoring has been their major issue against Colombia in recent years. Machis scored Venezuela’s only goal against Colombia in the duo’s last four encounters.
Forebet are predicting a tight and tense 90-minutes between these two clubs, with a high chance of under 2.5 goals being scored. We know that recent meetings between these two countries haven’t produced many goals, and under 2.5 goals have been scored in four of Colombia’s last five outings.