The Primera Division returns once again this weekend with five matches to look out for. Champions Metropolitanos are off the pace and hope to bounce back, while Deportivo Tachira look to close the gap on Academia Puerto Cabello.
Friday 7 July
Estudiantes de Merida 12/10 | Draw 23/10 | Angostura 29/20 (23:00)
Estudiantes are hosting Angostura at home in the city of Merida. With the 1-1 draw away at Mineros, Estudiantes have recorded their second consecutive draw, bringing their winless run to three matches in the league.
Angostura have conceded their second consecutive defeat in the league after their 1-0 home defeat against Deportivo Tachira. Angostura have lost their previous four away fixtures coming into this match and will need a mammoth performance if they want to come away with any points from this encounter. Estudiantes come into this fixture in better form and should use home ground advantage to good use and come away victorious at home.
Saturday 8 July
Carabobo 6/10 | Draw 3/1 | UCV 7/2 (01:30)
Carabobo currently occupy fourth place and will take on 14th-placed UCV at the Misael Delgado Stadium. With the 1-1 draw away at Portuguesa, Carabobo have recorded their second consecutive draw, extending their unbeaten run to eight matches in the league.
Universidad Central de Venezu have failed to win in their last eight away matches – a record they hope to change coming into this fixture. A win for UCV will put an end to a three-match winning streak at home for Carabobo as they look to climb the table and move away from the relegation zone. Carabobo for the win.
Rayo Zuliano 11/10 | Draw 5/2 | Deportivo La Guaira 37/20 (22:00)
Rayo Zuliano went back to winning ways after their 3-1 away win at Monagas following their two winless matches. Rayo Zuliano have drawn five of their last six home matches but now have the chance to change that when they welcome Deportivo La Guaira to their home patch.
Deportivo La Guaira went back to winning ways following three winless matches in the league after their 2-1 home win against third-placed Caracas. Deportivo La Guaira have picked up most of their points at home and have it all to do away from home when they face Rayo Zuliano. Deportivo La Guaira will be full of confidence after defeating one of the leagues top sides and will repeat the same performance away from home to clinch the win.
Sunday 9 July
Deportivo Tachira 1/4 | Draw 44/10 | Mineros 17/2 (00:15)
Deportivo Tachira are hosting rock-bottom Mineros, and with the 1-0 away win at Angostura, Deportivo Tachira have recorded their second consecutive win, extending their unbeaten run to 10 matches and did not concede any goal in their last six games in the league.
Mineros have a huge task on hand when they face red-hot Deportivo Tachira on their home ground. Mineros have been leaking goals in the back and will need to be at their very best if they look to put a holt to Deportivo Tachira’s hot form. Deportivo Tachira to win hands down.
Metropolitanos 9/20 | Draw 38/10 | Monagas 4/1 (02:30)
Metropolitanos are looking to close the gap on the teams ahead of them with a home victory when they welcome Monagas to the city of Caracas. With the 1-0 away win at Hermanos Colmenarez in their previous fixture, Metropolitanos have won their last three away matches in the league and will come out and play on the front foot from the first whistle to claim maximum points in front of their home fans.
Monagas are on a five-match losing run in the league after their 3-1 home defeat against Rayo Zuliano. Monagas are winless in four previous away fixtures coming into this match and have conceded two or more goals in each of their last three matches, leaving them a mountain to climb when they travel to Caracas to take on the defending champions. I’m backing Metropolitanos to put on a performance for their home fans and continue to climb the table with a win at home.
