Competition: World Cup qualifier

Market: Both teams to score – No

Odds: 8/11 @ Pribet

Looking to make another World Cup qualifying statement on Thursday night, Venezuela will welcome Ecuador to Maturin.

Starting with the hosts, while Venezuela might have opened their World Cup qualifying adventure with a toothless 1-0 loss away at Colombia on September 8th, La Vinotinto have come roaring back in some style. Last seen putting in a stunning performance on home soil as they signed off October’s international break with a 3-0 romp against South American giants Chile, Fernando Batista should find the mood in his camp at a real high. With their eye-catching purple patch also highlighted by a 1-0 win against Paraguay on September 12th, Venezuela have collected seven points from their previous three World Cup qualifying appearances. Smelling the chance to make another statement here, Batista will also be excited by their continued success on home soil. It should be noted, Thursday’s hosts have remarkably won each of their last six showdowns in front of their own supporters – a run that stems all the way back over the past 12 months.

As for the visitors, also opening their own respective qualifying campaign with a 1-0 loss against defending world champions Argentina on September 8th, Ecuador find themselves in an almost identical position to Thursday’s opponents. With their recent flurry highlighted by a stellar 2-1 win against Uruguay on September 12th, Felix Sanchez Bas has seen his high-flying squad muster seven points from their previous three appearances. Last seen signing off October’s international break with a 0-0 stalemate at home against Colombia, Thursday’s guests find themselves tipped as a leading contender to punch another World Cup ticket next year. Despite facing what could be a stern examination in midweek, Venezuela will be concerned by their most recent meeting against Ecuador. Hit with a 1-0 defeat when they last travelled to Maturin while on qualifying duties back in November 2021, we are expecting chances to come at a premium here.

Bet: Both teams *not* to score at Venezuela vs Ecuador 8/11 for Thursday’s World Cup qualifier @ Pribet