Venezuela vs. Brazil lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news, injuries: Rodrygo, Militao out injured

After seemingly turning a corner last month, Brazil will hope to build on their improvement and begin a fight up the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table when they travel to Venezuela on Thursday.

Amid a brutal slump, wins over Chile and Peru in October saw the Selecao climb to fourth in the qualifying standings, level with Uruguay on points and just six points off leaders Argentina.

They will be hoping to use the positive pair of results to springboard them to a bigger turnaround in fortunes starting here against a struggling Venezuela side.

After their stunning Copa America group stage performance which saw them polish off Ecuador, Mexico and Jamaica in succession, Venezuela have gone without a win in their last five, dropping to eighth in the qualifying standings.

Sporting News brings you the latest team news and predicted starting lineups for both teams in this South American clash.

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Venezuela vs. Brazil lineups, confirmed starting 11, team news

The most notable absence for La Vinotinto is starting defenseman Jordan Osoriohas been missing for Italian side Parma since picking up a back injury during the previous international break.

They are also without a backup goalkeeper Joel Graterolwho tore his patellar ligament in early October while playing for his club, Colombian giants America de Cali.

Venezuela has apparently moved on from seasoned veterans Josef Martinez and Roberto Rosalesas neither has received a call-up since being left out of the Copa America roster.

Venezuela starting line-up (4-2-3-1, right to left): Romo (GK) – Aramburu, Angel, Ramirez, Navarro – Herrera, Martinez – Bello, Savarino, Murillo – Rondon

Venezuela substitutes: Farinez, Ferraresi, Makoun, Rincon, Cadiz, Segovia, Machis, Baroja, Andrade, Casseres Jr.

Damaged: Osorio (back), Graterol (knee).
Suspended: No.

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Brazil coach Dorival confirmed his squad in his pre-match press conference: Vinicius Junior will start instead Rodrygo in the only change from the 4-0 win over Peru in October.

In addition to the continued absence of Neymarwho remain on the injury list are the most notable names missing for Brazil Rodrygo and Real Madrid teammate You Militao, both of whom suffered serious injuries in their latest win over Osasuna last weekend. Rodrygo picked up a thigh problem and will be out for over a month, while Militao has torn his ACL again, which will leave the defender on the sidelines for an extended period.

Militao joins his Brazilian defender Bremen and Flamengo striker Pedro on the long-term shelf, with both having suffered the same knee injury in recent months.

Also out injured is the goalkeeper Allison, who remains absent from Liverpool action with a hamstring tear, while Yan Couto was not called up as he has only just returned to action for Borussia Dortmund after a month-long muscle injury.

Brazil’s starting line-up (4-2-3-1, right to left): Ederson (GK) – Vanderson, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Abner – Gerson, Guimaraes – Savinho, Raphinha, Vinicius – Jesus

Brazil substitutes: Weverton, Danilo, Ortiz, Arana, Paqueta, Martinelli, Bento, Murillo, Andre, Pereira, Luiz Henrique, Estevao

Damaged: Rodrygo (thigh), Militao (ACL), Neymar (hamstring), Alisson (hamstring), Bremer (ACL), Pedro (ACL), Couto (fitness).
Suspended: No.

Venezuela vs Brazil Live Stream TV Channel

Here’s how to watch this CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier across select areas in the world’s major regions: