Verdict: Over 2.5 goals scored – yes
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: 888sport
The 2019 Copa America is right around the corner and national teams all over the South American region continue preparing for CONMEBOL’s biggest international tournament. With that in mind, Venezuela and Ecuador will collide in a neutral-venue friendly to be played in Miami this Sunday. This match will kick-off at 02:00 hrs BST.
Venezuela
Venezuela are coming off a defeat in their most recent international when they lost 1-2 against Catalunya, but they were riding a four-game undefeated streak prior to that shocking defeat (W2, D2). It must be noted that Venezuela will field a mixed squad for this friendly. Considering several players remain on club duty, Dudamel has decided to include several players that won’t participate in the tournament such as Erickson Gallardo, Samuel Sosa, Jan Carlos Hurtado and Nahuel Ferraresi – all of them are intriguing prospects that simply didn’t make the cut for the CONMEBOL tournament. La Vinotinto will look to improve in their recent Copa America results in 2019, since they couldn’t make it out of the group stage in the 2015 edition held in Chile. They reached the quarterfinals in the 2016 Copa America Centenario, however, where they suffered a disappointing 0-4 loss against Argentina.
Team News
Rafael Dudamel’s men have already announced their 23-man squad for the 2019 Copa America, but the former goalkeeper will field a mixed squad for this friendly with several players that won’t participate in the tournament.
Among the absentees we can find starting goalkeeper Wuilker Fariñez, Junior Moreno, Darwin Machis and 2018 MLS MVP, Josef Martinez.
Ecuador
On the other hand, Hernan Dario Gomez is back as Ecuador’s manager and he’s looking to lead a rebuilding process where we can still some of the “older” names such as Luis Antonio Valencia, Enner Valencia, Alexander Dominguez and Gabriel Achilier headlining the way. El Tri enter this game on a good run of form, however, as they have lost just two of their past eight international matches (W4, D2, L2). One of the biggest strengths from the Ecuadorian side has been their defence, as they have kept a clean sheet in five of those eight outings. Just like Venezuela, Ecuador failed to qualify out of the group stage in 2015, but they reached the quarterfinals in 2016 where they suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat against United States. This match against Venezuela will be a good way to understand where the team sits just days before their Copa America opener.
Team News
Ecuador won’t have Angel Mena available for this match due to a muscular injury. However, it is only a precautionary move since the manager wants to have him completely fit for the Copa America start.
Plus, defender Cristian Ramirez is doubtful with an undisclosed injury. He will be a game-time decision ahead of this encounter.
Key Factors to Consider
- Venezuela have secured a draw in seven of their last 15 international matches.
- There hasn’t been a goalless draw in any of Venezuela’s previous ten international matches.
- Ecuador have kept a clean sheet in five of their last eight international matches.
- El Tricolor (ECU) is undefeated in their last five H2H meetings against Venezuela (W3, D2).
- Three of the last five H2H matches have featured both sides scoring. Two of the last three have produced over 2.5 goals as well.
Conclusion
This should be a very open game. Both sides will be experimenting, and we could be in line for a relaxed mood considering neither side will play with a lot of intensity or aggressiveness.
With that in mind, we could be in line for more than 2.5 goals scored in this match. Something that has happened in two of the last three H2H meetings in all competitions.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals scored – yes
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: 888sport
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