Saudi Arabia and Venezuela will square off for the first time ever in an international friendly in Spain on Thursday.

The South American outfit got the better of Malta in their opening friendly of this round of fixtures, while their opponents fell short against Colombia last time out.

Match preview

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Saudi Arabia headed into this round of friendlies on the back of a triumphant World Cup Qualifying campaign, as they firstly cruised through the second round with an unbeaten record.

Al-Suqour then performed particularly impressively in the third round, storming into a dominant lead at the top of their group with six wins and a draw from the opening seven matches.

Following a loss and a draw, they then beat Australia in the final round of fixtures to pip Japan to a first-placed finish and book their spot in a second consecutive World Cup, with a tough group alongside Argentina, Poland and Mexico looming.

Herve Renard's men returned to action on Sunday in a friendly against Colombia, and they were narrowly beaten as Santos Borre hit the only goal of the game.

Now with just five months and a handful of friendlies to go before making the short trip to Qatar for the World Cup in November, Saudi Arabia will look to bounce back from that defeat and build a positive run of form starting on Thursday.

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Their opponents, meanwhile, will look to make it two wins from two in their trip to Europe after a tough run of form in the last two years.

Heading into last summer's Copa America with limited expectations, La Vinotinto were unable to spring any real surprises as they dropped out in the group stage without picking up a win in four attempts.

Jose Pekerman's squad also struggled throughout World Cup Qualifying, picking up just 10 points from their 18 games and finishing at the bottom of the South American group as a result.

With their wait for a return to the continental stage extended further, La Vinotinto headed into this round of friendlies aiming to bounce back to form, and they were able to return to winning ways last time out, with Salomon Rondon hitting the only goal of the contest against Malta.

On the back of that victory, Pekerman's men will look to make it two wins from two in these friendlies with another victory on Thursday.

Team News

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Fahad Al-Muwallad, who has netted 17 goals in 70 international caps, is a notable absence for Saudi Arabia, with the midfielder forced to miss out through injury, while attacker Saleh Al-Shehri is also out of action.

In the absence of the former, Salman Al-Faraj should continue to play a key role in the engine room, with Abdullah Otayf also given the nod in midfield last time out.

Firas al-Buraikan was chosen to lead the line against Colombia and could again be given the nod with six international goals to his name.

Venezuela's attack will be led by all-time top scorer Salomon Rondon, who took his tally to 35 goals for his country with the winner against Malta.

He could again be flanked by Tigres' Yeferson Soteldo and Atletico San Luis' Jhon Murillo in a dangerous front three.

Young defender Nahuel Ferraresi has continuously impressed with his performances for La Vinotinto and in loan spells in the Portuguese top flight, and he will keep a place alongside Jhon Chancellor at the back.

Saudi Arabia possible starting lineup:
Al Owais; Al Ghanam, Tambakti, Al Bulaihi, Al Dawsari; Al-Faraj, Otayf; Al-Ghannam, Alhamddan, Bahbri; Al-Buraikan

Venezuela possible starting lineup:
Farinez; Osorio, Chancellor, Ferraresi, Cumana; Herrera, Bello, Laratonda; Soteldo, Rondon, Murillo

We say: Saudi Arabia 2-1 Venezuela

Saudi Arabia came close against Colombia but face a weaker side in the form of Venezuela, and we see them triumphing over La Vinotinto, who were only just able to get the better of Malta.

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