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The Copa America kicks off with a series of important fixtures this weekend as Brazil take on Venezuela at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia on Sunday. Brazil have an excellent squad and are the favourites to win this game.
Venezuela face an uphill battle to qualify for the knock-outs and will look to pull off an upset in this match. The away side held Uruguay to a 0-0 stalemate last week and will want a similar result from this match.
Brazil, on the other hand, have been exceptional in recent weeks and have a point to prove in the Copa America. The Selecao have eased past Paraguay and Ecuador over the past week and will be confident ahead of this fixture.
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Brazil vs Venezuela Head-to-Head
Brazil have a brilliant record against Venezuela and have won 22 matches out of a total of 27 games played between the two teams. Venezuela have managed only two victories against Brazil and will need to be at their best on Sunday.
The previous meeting between the two teams took place last year and ended in a 1-0 victory for Brazil. Roberto Firmino scored the winning goal on the day and will want to have a similar impact on this fixture.
Brazil form guide: W-W-W-W-W
Venezuela form guide: D-L-W-L-L
Brazil vs Venezuela Team News
Brazil
Dani Alves is injured at the moment and has not been included in Brazil's squad. Thiago Silva is also carrying a knock and might not feature against Venezuela. Marquinhos and Eder Militao are likely to form Brazil's central defence this weekend.
Injured: Dani Alves
Doubtful: Thiago Silva
Suspended: None
Venezuela
According to worrying reports from South America, the Venezuela squad is facing a difficult battle against the coronavirus with as many as eight players testing positive.
The team has not released the names of those infected but has called up 15 new players to bolster its ranks. Tomas Rincon has confirmed on social media that he is one of the infected players and will be excluded from the squad.
Brazil vs Venezuela Predicted XI
Brazil Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson Becker; Danilo, Eder Militao, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Fabinho; Roberto Firmino, Richarlison, Neymar, Gabriel Jesus
Venezuela Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joel Graterol; Mikel Villanueva, Wilker Angel, Jhon Chancellor, Roberto Rosales; Luis Mago, Junior Moreno; Cristian Casseres, Alexander Gonzalez, Romulo Otero; Josef Martinez
Note: This Venezuela line-up is an ideal eleven that might start against Brazil. Some of these players may very well have tested positive and will be unavailable for this fixture.
Brazil vs Venezuela Prediction
Brazil have one of the strongest squads in the Copa America at the moment and will look to seize the initiative in their first game of the tournament. The likes of Neymar and Richarlison can be lethal on their day and will want to find the back of the net in this fixture.
Venezuela are a robust defensive unit and will have to put in a massive shift to keep the Selecao at bay. Brazil are the better team and should be able to win this game.
Prediction: Brazil 3-1 Venezuela
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for England | UEFA Euro 2020
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