Can Venezuela hold on to top spot?

The qualifying phase for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA is already in full swing, at least in South America. Several nations have announced their ambitions at the start of the qualifying phase

Including the two that now face each other. The bookmakers’ Venezuela vs. Ecuador prediction shows the visitors as favorites. But the situation is not that clear-cut. Also because the home side have performed well so far and are difficult to play against at home anyway

The Venezuelans are now planning their next surprise and want to try and put in a good performance on the pitch. Defensive stability will be key. Our Venezuela vs. Ecuador betting tip is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored

Venezuela – Statistics & current form

Venezuela is not a nation that regularly has high hopes of playing in a major tournament, a World Cup. This made the start to the qualifying phase for the 2026 tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada all the more promising. Fernando Batista’s team has a decent breadth in the squad, something that has rarely been seen in this team in recent years.

However, some interesting young players have finally arrived. And they strengthen the framework around the warhorses like Tomas Rincon, Salomon Rondon and Jefferson Soteldo. Batista has also found a way to improve the once fragile defense. In short: Venezuela is not a brilliant team, but not a bad one either. But one that is very difficult to play against.

The team has only conceded two goals in its first four games in the qualifying phase. The 49th-placed team in the FIFA world rankings recently beat Chile surprisingly comfortably 3-0 and drew 1-1 in Brazil, losing only their opening match against Colombia. Both qualifying home games were won, which should be a good start. The home side feel particularly comfortable at home, even if the test matches away from home this calendar year have also been quite successful

Venezuela are having a good international year

Only one defeat in the calendar year. Tests against Saudi Arabia and Honduras were won and stability improved. The fact that the Venezuela vs. Ecuador odds do not assign the home side the role of favorites is also due to the fact that the visitors also made a solid start to the qualifying phase and have something to offer individually.

The defense is particularly impressive. Venezuela have kept four clean sheets in eight matches in 2023 and have never conceded more than one goal. This is because they are able to give the ball to their opponents, take a wait-and-see approach and not allow themselves to become too unsettled. That makes for a very exciting overall package.

However, it is also clear that a good result is only possible if the Venezuelans play their best soccer. Based on the signs, our prediction ahead of the Venezuela v Ecuador match is that fewer than 2.5 goals will be scored.

Predicted Venezuela line-up:
Graterol – Aramburu, Osorio, Ferraresi, Navarro – Rincon, Martinez, Herrera – Soteldo, Machis, Cordova

Ecuador – Statistics & current form

Much that can be said about Venezuela can also be said about Ecuador. The team has put in a solid performance and is even ahead of the hosts in the FIFA world rankings. With players such as Willian Pacho (Frankfurt), Piero Hincapie (Leverkusen) and Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), there is a high level of individual class, especially in defense. And the team often brings this to the pitch.

For this very reason, nobody is likely to expect a truly spectacular match. The fact that bookmaker Bet365 has odds of over 2.0 on both teams scoring speaks for itself. Coach Felix Sanchez Bas likes his team to play with a five-man back line, which is noticeable on the pitch. Ecuador stand well, are difficult to break down and manage to get the automatisms onto the pitch.

The Ecuadorians have conceded three goals in four games in World Cup qualifying. There was a defeat against Argentina, a draw against Colombia and two wins against Uruguay and Bolivia. At the moment, it seems as if teams like these two have overtaken the likes of Chile and Peru, but there are still 14 games to play

Ecuador will also have a good year in 2023

Not only Venezuela, Ecuador also played some good games in 2023. The test matches also went well. There were three wins and one defeat, this one against Australia. Incidentally, that was also the only game in which the five-man back line was not used. Otherwise, they conceded a maximum of one goal, as they did against Venezuela, which once again underlines the fact that things are unlikely to get hot in front of goal.

In addition, the offense has problems compared to the defense, both individually and in terms of numbers, and has some catching up to do. Jordy Caicedo, Leonardo Campana and co. are already clearly falling behind. Four goals in four qualifying matches is not outstanding. But as long as the defense does its job, things continue to look good.

Because the hosts have a good record at home, our value tip ahead of the Venezuela v Ecuador game is that the home side will not lose and that both teams will not score due to the good defensive lines.

Predicted line-up of Ecuador:
Burrai – Preciado, Pacho, Torres, Hincapie, Quinonez – Caicedo, Gruezo, Franco, Paez, Mena – Caicedo

Venezuela – Ecuador head-to-head / H2H result

31 matches the two have played against each other so far. Venezuela have emerged victorious eleven times, compared to 15 for Ecuador. That is why the visitors have the slightly better record. With 56:34 goals, Ecuador also have a clear lead in terms of goals scored. Interesting fact: The last three games were all home wins!

Venezuela – Ecuador betting tip

Venezuela and Ecuador will deliver a thrilling duel. Neither will expose their defense, neither will try to take too many risks. After a decent start to the qualifying phase, even a draw would be a solid result for both

Ahead of the Venezuela v Ecuador game, we’re playing the odds on less than 2.5 goals being scored.