Jamaica vs Venezuela predictions: La Vinotinto to maintain perfect start
- Venezuela already through to the quarter-final with two wins
- Jamaica down and out after losing opening two Group B games
- Recommended bet: Venezuela to win
Having endured defeats in their opening two Copa America clashes with Mexico and Ecuador, Jamaica have already been eliminated and finishing the competition with a bit of pride will be the aim against Venezuela.
The stakes are far different for Venezuela, however, as victories over Ecuador and Mexico have seen them take control of Group B and they will be looking to maintain their perfect start to the tournament in Austin, Texas.
With their progress already assured, Venezuela manager Fernando Batista may opt to make some changes, but at the same time they will not want to risk finishing runners-up in the group and, therefore, likely to meet Argentina in the quarter-final.
Team news
With Jamaica having exited the competition, manager Heimir Hallgrímsson is likely to make changes and Demarai Gray will be hoping to return to the starting line-up.
Charlton pair Michael Hector and Karoy Anderson have been involved from the bench and could be pushing for starting berths, along with teenage striker Kaheim Dixon.
Amari’i Bell of Luton and Philadelphia Union’s Andre Blake missed out on the squad through injury and remain sidelined.
Jon Aramburu, Eduard Bello and Jefferson Savarino came into the Venezuela starting line-up in place of Alexander Gonzalez, Darwin Machis and Cristian Casseres against Mexico and they are expected to keep their places.
The stats
Venezuela have lost only four of their last 21 internationals and have won their opening two matches at the Copa America.
Batista’s side defeated Ecuador 2-1 before a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mexico, which means their last 16 internationals have featured three or fewer goals.
In fact, 11 of their last 14 matches have gone under 2.5 goals.
Jamaica have lost their opening two matches, going down 1-0 to Mexico before a 3-1 loss to Ecuador, and they have failed to win in six of their last 11 outings.
These sides have met three times since 2011 and Venezuela have won two of those rivalries to nil.
Both teams have scored in only three of Jamaica’s last eight internationals.
Salomon Rondon is Venezuela’s leading scorer with 42 goals in 106 caps, which includes the decisive goal from the penalty spot against Mexico.
Prediction
It seems logical to side with Venezuela following their opening two scalps, even despite the fact that a draw will be enough to see them progress as Group B winners.
There was a lot to like about those performances against Ecuador and Mexico and those defeated foes would be considered more talented outfits than this current Jamaica squad.
Jamaica allowed 23 shots at their goal in their 3-1 loss to Ecuador while their 1-0 defeat to Mexico featured 20 shots for their opponents, which suggests that Venezuela should be able to carve out plenty of opportunities.
Breaching Venezuela, however, is going to prove tougher for the Reggae Boyz as La Vinotinto have kept seven clean sheets in their last 13 internationals and that highlights how well organised they are under manager Batista.
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