Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay squad looks to bounce back from their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Paraguay when they face Venezuela in their upcoming World Cup qualifier. The Uruguayan side controlled 71% of possession in their previous match but managed just one shot on target – not enough to prevent goals from Matías Galarza Fonda and Julio Enciso securing a win for Paraguay.
"We need to be more clinical in front of goal despite dominating possession," a frustrated Bielsa likely told his players after the Paraguay setback.
Recent form shows Uruguay has been involved in low-scoring affairs, with under three goals scored in five of their last six matches. They've netted just four times while conceding six during this period. Not great numbers for a team with their attacking talent.
Meanwhile, Salomón Rondón led "Venezuela" to a 2-0 victory over Bolivia in their most recent qualifier. The veteran striker found the net in the 30th minute, while an early own goal from Héctor Cuellar gave Venezuela a comfortable cushion. Despite having only 41% possession, "La Vinotinto" managed 10 attempts with 5 on target.
Interestingly, Venezuela has scored in each of their last six matches, tallying seven goals while conceding twelve. By the way, their consistent scoring streak will face a stern test against Uruguay's typically solid defense.
Head-to-head history slightly favors "Uruguay" with two wins to Venezuela's one over their last six meetings, with three draws completing the record. Their most recent encounter on September 10, 2024, ended in a goalless draw despite Venezuela firing 20 shots with 6 on target.
Despite Uruguay's recent struggles in front of goal, oddsmakers heavily favor "La Celeste" with betting odds of 1.5 compared to 7.5 for a Venezuela victory. A draw stands at 4.0.
Can Venezuela continue their scoring streak against Uruguay? The prediction suggests otherwise, with experts forecasting a comprehensive 4-0 victory for Uruguay when they meet on June 10, 2025. Sometimes football doesn't follow the form book – but this one looks like a mismatch on paper.
