We are less than an hour away from Argentina playing Venezuela and this is the official match thread!

Results are going Argentina’s way. Bolivia with a 1-0 win against Chile and Colombia drew 1-1 against Brazil. What does that mean? It means that a single point for Argentina (which would not be ideal) would put them ahead of the Chileans. Colombia are currently in second place with 26 points and a win for Argentina would take them level with the Colombians (although goal difference would be a factor).

However, at the moment of writing, Peru are currently leading Ecuador 2-1 and if the Peruvians get the three points, they would be ahead of Argentina (who currently have 23 points) as they would have 24 points.

A massive game up next for Argentina where three points should be added to the table for them. As we reported yesterday, here’s the starting eleven for Jorge SAMPAOLI’s men:

ROMERO; MASCHERANO, FAZIO, OTAMENDI; ACOSTA, PIZARRO, BANEGA, DI MARIA; MESSI, ICARDI, DYBALA

or (different formation)

ROMERO; MASCHERANO, FAZIO, OTAMENDI; DYBALA, PIZARRO, BANEGA; MESSI; ACOSTA, ICARDI, DI MARIA

Tuesday night, it will be Argentina against Venezuela and we want your predictions!

If Thursday night’s World Cup Qualifying match against Uruguay was more of a “can’t lose”, then Tuesday night’s World Cup Qualifying match between Argentina and Venezuela is a “must win” for the Albiceleste. The legendary Estadio Monumental is the venue, Argentina against Venezuela is the match, the stars will be on show but who will win? On paper, logic predicts that Lionel MESSI’s men will pick up the three points. However, it’s never that easy. Argentina only managed a 2-2 draw in Venezuela last year and they cannot afford to drop any points this time around.

As we reported yesterday, Argentina’s starting line-up was already confirmed. Once more, Lionel MESSI, Paulo DYBALA and Mauro ICARDI will start together. Here’s the line-up:

Argentina against Venezuela line-up

ROMERO; MASCHERANO, FAZIO, OTAMENDI; ACOSTA, PIZARRO, BANEGA, DI MARIA; MESSI, ICARDI, DYBALA

or (different formation)

ROMERO; MASCHERANO, FAZIO, OTAMENDI; DYBALA, PIZARRO, BANEGA; MESSI; ACOSTA, ICARDI, DI MARIA

Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI appears to be going all in with a very attack minded team. With that said, what do you think the result of the match will be? Is it going to be 3 points for Jorge SAMPAOLI’s men? Will Venezuela pull of a shock and get the victory themselves or will the match end in a draw?

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Argentina National Team coach Jorge SAMPAOLI held a press conference on Monday discussing the match against Venezuela.

The coach discussed a variety of topics, from Lionel MESSI, his supposed rift with MESSI, Paulo DYBALA, Venezuela and much more. Here’s what the coach had to say:

On the match against Venezuela:

“For me, it’s important for us to believe in our own capabilities. We have to go looking for the points. We have to get an early goal that way the opponent has to look for another gameplan. I’m not of the idea of having a starting eleven that is set in stone. Playing a back and forth game against Venezuela would benefit them. It doesn’t depend on who Venezuela plays, it depends on what we want and need from the match.

On the Argentina National Team

“It’s good to have a set of players who are prepared to play. Argentina’s formation depends on what we want from the match. Every match will be increasingly more difficult to resolve because the pressure is there to qualify for the World Cup. It’s easy to love someone when they win, but the beautiful thing is wanting them to win.

On Lionel MESSI

“A player like BANEGA gives MESSI the chance to move into the opponenet’s area. MESSI is fully involved so that Argentina qualify for the World Cup. It’s difficult to remove the Messi dependency from a team when Leo is there.

Argentina coach SAMPAOLI denies media rift between himself and MESSI:

“We live in a society where when a lie is told a thousand times, it becomes the truth.

On individual players

“Angel DI MARIA is a fundimental player for us. He played all three matches with me as coach. DYBALA is a player that can give a lot to the Argentina National Team. The partnerships are there: Leo and Di Maria, Banega and Leo, we’re working on Leo and Dybala, Leo and Icardi.”