Uruguay can overcome Brazil (with a +2 handicap)
Published:Brazil find themselves heavy 4/11 favourites in a lopsided betting heat for their Confederations Cup semi-final clash with Uruguay. Out of form in the run up to the competition, Los Dinosauros could be expected to take a pasting at the hands of the hosts, but they’ve got a recent history of intransigence in the sides’ clashes and can keep it close.
Uruguay had won just once in seven matches when they came to play France in a friendly earlier this month, but a Luis Suarez strike grabbed a 1-0 win to lighten the mood and they’ve won three of their four competitive games since.
The first of those successes – a 1-0 victory in Venezuela – was indicative of a new resolve amongst the Celeste, coming as it was on the back of three to-nil defeats in visits to their CONMEBOL neighbours.
A clash against Brazil will appeal to the under-dog spirit in the Uruguayans’ blood and they’re past masters at frustrating the Selecao, losing just twice in their last eight meetings with Luis Felipe Scolari’s men.
Having lost just 2-1 to world champions Spain in the group stage, Uruguay can avoid being dragged under the wheels of their hosts’ runaway goal train and could be worth a few squid to win with a +2 handicap at 8/11.
Make no mistake, Brazil have been full of goals of late – averaging three per game in their last four outings – but their defence has looked well short of watertight, despite three clean sheets in that run and with Uruguay boasting an attacking brains trust including Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, it’s expected that they’ll be taking their sheets to the launderette after the final whistle.
It’s 5/6 that both teams bother the scorers in Belo Horizonte.
Finally for those looking to sweeten-up the price of their Brazil to win wagers, the 11/8 double on a win for the hosts and a goal from wonder-boy Neymar looks worthy of some investigation – the Barcelona-bound attacker has burnished each of his outings at the tournament so far with a goal of rare quality.
