Peru winger Jefferson Farfan. (Photo : Getty Images)
CONMEBOL's 2018 World Cup qualifying tournament's bottom two squads Peru (1-3-0, 3 points) and Venezuela (0-0-4, 0 points) are set to face one another for a matchday 5 game at the Estadio Nacional in Lima, Peru this Thursday, March 24th.
The two sides are currently struggling in the said 10-team South American competitions with Peru pulling off only one win in four outings while Venezuela failed to even force a draw with their first four opponents.
Peru is coming off a humiliating 0-3 demolition in the hands of world no. 6-ranked Brazil at the Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil on Nov. 17th of last year for their third loss in the tourney, as reported by The Guardian.
Seleção captain Neymar is back after a lengthy suspension and although he did not score a goal, he was the catalyst to the team's three-goal haul, courtesy of winger Douglas Costa of Bayern Munich, midfielder Renato Augusto now of Beijing Guoan, and left back Filipe Luis of Atletico Madrid at the 22nd, 57th, and 76th minutes respectively.
Ricardo Gareca's boys were no match for the Brazilian onslaught in that match and they are looking to bounce back in this match against La Vinotinto this week.
Meanwhile, Venezuela was defeated by top team Ecuador, 1-3, at their home stadium of Estadio Cachamay in Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela also on Nov. 17th of last year to drop their fourth consecutive game in the qualifiers, as per Goal.
Three straight goals for the visitors, contributed by striker Fidel Martinez, winger Jefferson Montero, and striker Felipe Caicedo at the 15th, 23rd, and 60th minutes respectively, gave Noel Sanvicente's men a tough hill to climb, which they eventually failed to do so.
Los Llaneros managed to score a consolation goal, though, with an 84th minute goal from Torino striker Josef Martinez to avoid a shutout.
Peru is currently at the ninth spot of the overall standings while Venezuela remains at the bottom of the table.
The predicted result is a 2-0 decision for Peru.
Peru starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Penny; Yotun, Ascues, Zambrano, Advincula; Lobaton, Tapia; Cueva, Farfan, Hurtado; Guerrero
Venezuela starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Baroja; Rosales, Vizcarrondo, Velazquez, Cichero; Jeffren, Lucena, Rincon, Otero; Rondón, Santos
