World Cup Qualifier: Brazil To Make It Three From Three

Brazil vs Venezuela

Brazil will be aiming to maintain their perfect start to the World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign when Venezuela are the visitors to the Estadio do Morumbi on Saturday.

The eyes of the world will be on World Cup: Brazil vs Venezuela as they always are when the Selecao takes to the field; and while both teams are missing some players there will be plenty of stars from Europe’s top leagues on show. There’s no surprise in the news that the Brazil vs Venezuela betting odds are backing a home win, but when they cross the white line it’s 11 versus 11 and the minnows from Venezuela may surprise us.

But I expect Brazil to make it three wins from three and by some margin, and that means Asian Handicap betting with SBOTOP is the way to play it. So let’s take a closer look at the two nations, their current form and where the best value is.

Talking points

No Neymar; no problem for Brazil

World Cup 2022: Brazil's Gabriel Jesus managed to score in Manchester City's 1-1 draw vs Liverpool — Gabriel Jesus during Manchester City’s match against Olympiacos

Brazil head coach Tite has a slightly depleted squad to choose from, the biggest name on his absentee list being that of Neymar. The Paris Saint-Germain striker scored a hat-trick in Brazil’s last outing, a 2-4 victory over Peru, and that took him onto 64 goals as the Selecao’s second top scorer of all time, overtaking Ronaldo and climbing to within 13 of Pele.

At 28 years of age Neymar has time on his side and so he won’t be sweating too much just yet. And neither will Tite, because without the PSG man he still has Premier League duo Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino to call upon. Jesus scored a brilliant solo goal to equalise in Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool at the weekend. Firmino’s starting place at Liverpool has come under a challenge from new arrival Diogo Jota, but the striker remains one of the most gifted forwards in the world, with a stunning array of ball skills which can unlock any defence, usually for the benefit of a team-mate, which is good news for Everton forward Richarlison who could make it a Premier League trio upfront.

The Selecao are also without Barca’s Philippe Coutinho and Liverpool’s Fabinho, while Eder Militao has tested positive for COVID 19. That means there’s likely to be a call up for Atletico Madrid defender Felipe to join club mate Renan Lodi in the line-up.

Pointless start for Venezuela

Brazil’s weekend visitors have never qualified for a World Cup finals tournament and are the only CONMEBOL member not to have reached that goal. And at the start of this campaign, back to back defeats to Colombia and Paraguay have given the Vinotintos a mountain to climb yet again.

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They sit in ninth place, above bottom nation Bolivia on goal difference alone and head coach Jose Peseiro needs to pick his team up for this monumental test without some of his key players to call on. Jose Contreras and Christian Laratonda have both tested positive for COVID 19 while Yangel Herrera, currently on loan from Manchester City to Granada, is banned.

Herrera’s club mate Darwin Machis could start up front alongside top scorer Salamon Rondon; the 31 year old Dalain forward has 30 goals for his country. And there is an experience in the middle of the park in the form of Torino’s Tomas Rincon who has amassed 103 caps since his international debut in 2008.

But it’s the Venezuela defence I worry about!

History

The head to head Brazil vs Venezuela results are pretty much one way with the Selecao winning six of the last ten games, drawing three and losing one. But they didn’t have it all their own way the last time they met Venezuela, as hosts of the 2019 Copa America, when they were booed off after a 0-0 draw.

The hosts will be keen to make amends for that showing and are a powerful side at home, unbeaten in 22.

Betting Tip

	Brazil vs Venezuela	Brazil Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 1.82
	November 14, 08:30 (GMT+8)

Brazil are at odds of 1.20 to win and with a FIFA World ranking of third, 25 places above Venezuela, that makes a lot of sense.

Both teams have players missing but Brazil’s reserves run far deeper than those of their opponents. If you don’t have Neymar, use Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino, that’s not a bad place to be in for an international coach. And that’s why Brazil should win this game at a canter.

The draw is at 5.60 and Venezuela at 12.00 to spring a major surprise, but the most likely score line of 2-0 to Brazil at odds of 5.22 is a better bet than either.