Venezuela aims for their fourth consecutive win at Copa America 2024 as the Group B winners prepare to face Canada in the quarter-finals. Under Fernando Batista's leadership, Venezuela won all three group stage matches for the first time in history.
After defeating their toughest opponents, Ecuador, in the opening match, La Vinotinto topped Group B. Their reward is a quarter-final against Canada, avoiding Argentina until a possible semifinal and facing a team that has scored only one goal in their last five matches.
Venezuela, ranked 54th, finds this quarterfinal highly winnable.
VENEZUELA predicted lineup vs Canada (4-2-3-1 ): (GK) Romo, Aramburu, Ferraresi, Osorio, Navarro - Martinez, Herrera - Bello, Savarino, Soteldo - Rondon.
Darwin Machis will not play after receiving a suspension for yellow card accumulation.
THE BATTLE OF THE COACHES
A notable point in this year's Copa América is that all group winners have Argentine coaches. Group A: Argentina, Lionel Scaloni. Group B: Venezuela, Fernando Batista. Group C: Uruguay, Marcelo Bielsa. Group D: Colombia, Néstor Lorenzo. All these teams won all their group matches, except Colombia, which drew against Brazil.
If this trend continues, it should favor Venezuela in this match.
Exciting times are ahead as these teams will eventually have to face off and eliminate each other.
WILL CANADA SHOCK?
Canada fell to Argentina, 2-0, in their opening game, then notched a 1-0 victory over Peru. They played to a 0-0 draw against Chile to clinch a spot in the Knockout Round. Interestingly, both of the final opponents to Canada were given red cards.
Despite being ranked 48th in the current FIFA World Rankings, Canada has reached the Copa America knockout stage for the first time in history.
CANADA predicted lineup vs Venezuela (4-4-2 ): (GK) Crepeau, Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies - Laryea, Eustaquio, Kone, Millar - Larin, David.
Unfortunately, the Reds will be without Tajon Buchanan, who broke his tibia in training ahead of their clash with Venezuela. The Inter Milan player was set to start on Saturday, but now coach Marsch has some decisions to make about his midfield.
END OF DRAW MATCHES?
Canada´s debut at Copa America 2024 has been impressive at times. Jesse Marsch's team have secured a place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Venezuela.
Venezuela and Canada will meet for the third time on Saturday, with their previous two encounters both ending in draws. On a good day, Canada could manage a draw again, but if either team wins, it's likely to be Venezuela. There's a strong possibility this will be Canada´s final game - unless they perform exceptionally well!
I think Venezuela can handle Canada this time.
