Opening Copa wins await Colombia and Brazil in Group C
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The third day of Copa America action sees Group C get underway, with tournament big guns Colombia and Brazil hopeful of making perfect starts to their respective challenges.
Underdogs Venezuela and Peru will have something to say about the matter, but as our below previews reveal, the stats really do stack up against the relative minnows of world football.
Colombia (4) v Venezuela (28), Group C (20:00 BST, Estadio El Teniente)
As their run to the World Cup quarter-finals showcased last summer, Colombia are a team blessed with the an array of attacking talent and now they have their star player back as well, Venezuela could be in for a tough start in this group.
Radamel Falcao’s stint with Manchester United may have sullied his reputation slightly, but in the yellow of his country the former Atletico Madrid hotshot is back among the goals, ready to make up for lost time.
His strike to sink Costa Rica in Los Cafeteros’ final friendly before the tournament began, took Falcao‘s tally to four in his last three appearances and he looks a fine bet to grab the first goal at 7/2.
Colombia arrive in fine fettle having won seven consecutive friendly games, albeit against some fairly lightweight teams along the way, but their record of opening Copa America wins is formidable against any opposition, let alone Venezuela.
They’ve actually won their opening match at five of their last six Copas or World Cups and all five wins came to nil.
Recommended Bet:Back Colombia win to nil @ 11/10
Brazil (8) v Peru (40), Group C (22:30 BST, Estadio Municipal German Becker)
One of the bigger mismatches on paper features 3/1 second favourites for the trophy Brazil and 125/1 counterparts Peru.
Since that stinging World Cup exit to eventual champions Germany in the semis, Brazil have taken on a determined edge having been reunited with former coach Dunga.
Ten successive friendly victories have followed that disaster, while only two goals have been shipped in that long run.
The Samba Boys will have eyes on the top prize but will be wary of a Peru side who finished third in the Copa three years ago, after a draw with Brazil in the group stages.
Their emphasis will be on keeping it solid and containing the likes of Neymar and Philippe Coutinho rather than any sort of fighting fire with fire approach.
Brazil are traditionally slow starters in big tournaments and haven’t put more than two past any Peru side since 1997, while six of their past seven clashes have featured fewer than three goals.
Therefore, Brazil may be expected to get the job done, but not in a blaze of goals.
Ladbrokes are also running a promotion on the game, with Brazil to win and both teams scoring getting boosted, 7/4 out to 9/4 from 8.00 am Sunday.
Recommended Bet: Brazil to win 1-0 or 2-1 @ 27/10
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
