Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez. (Photo : Getty Images)
Middling squad Colombia (3-2-1, 10 points) will try to break through the top four of the 2018 FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL qualifying tournament standings as the team clashes with bottom-dwelling side Venezuela (0-5-1, 1 point) on Sep. 1, Thursday at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla, Colombia.
Only the top four finishers of the said tournament will qualify to the 2018 FIFA World Cup competitions in Russia. At the moment Colombia is tied with reigning Copa America champions Chile at the fourth and fifth spots with 10 points each. Uruguay, Ecuador, and Argentina occupy the top three places with 13 points, 13 points, and 11 points respectively.
The fifth-placed squad at the end of the competitions will advance to the inter-confederation playoffs to have a chance to still qualify for the Russia World Cup.
Colombia defeated tournament leaders Ecuador, 3-1, during the last matchday in Mar. 29 held also at the national team's home stadium in Barranquilla, Goal reported.
AC Milan's star striker Carlos Bacca netted a brace, scoring at the 15th and 57th minutes, while Boca Juniors defensive midfielder Sebastian Perez contributed a goal at the 48th to complete the three-goal haul of head coach José Pékerman's boys.
Los Cafeteros' third win in the qualifiers snapped Los Amarillos five-game unbeaten streak, which made the latter surrender the top spot to Uruguay, who nipped Peru, 1-0, in their own matchday 6 affair.
Meanwhile, Venezuela continued to struggle in the said tournament after succumbing to their sixth straight winless effort against Chile, 1-4, at the Estadio Agustín Tovar in Barinas, Venezuela also on Mar. 29, as per Daily Mail Online.
Atlético Mineiro attacking midfielder Romulo Otero scored the only goal of then head coach Noel Sanvicente's men at the ninth minute of the match before the Chileans opened the floodgates on four straight goals with Mauricio Pinilla and Arturo Vidal scoring two goals each.
Sanvicente has since been replaced by manager Rafael Dudamel, who will now be coaching La Vinotinto from this match against Colombia moving forward.
The predicted result is a 3-0 rout by Colombia.
Colombia starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Ospina; Arias, Fabra, Murillo, Diaz; Perez, Torres; Cuadrado, Rodriguez, Cardona; Bacca
Venezuela starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Contreras; Rosales, Vizcarrondo, Velazquez, Villanueva; Anor, Rincon, Figuera, Otero; Rondón, Martinez
