It may have picked up just after the end of the club season, but the Copa America isn’t taking things slowly. Having kicked off the group stage over the weekend, the second round of fixtures are coming very quickly after. Each team faces a quick turnaround, with only days between their first two games.
These games can be huge for teams as well, with some fighting for their lives to stay in the competition. It’s very possible that a few sides will sees their dreams of going through ended just days into the tournament. Once Argentina and Chile wrap up the first round of games, the hosts head back into action. The US play Costa Rica, while Colombia take on Paraguay. We’ll also be casting our eye towards Thursday’s Group B game, as Ecuador fight Peru for a place in the last eight.
Tuesday 7th June 2016
Argentina v Chile (00:30) – 0-0 Draw (17/2 with Betfair)
This clash is a repeat of the 2015 Copa America final, which Chile won on home soil. That clash finished goalless and was settled on penalties, with the Chileans winning this tournament for the first time. Sergio Aguero and co. have a tough task in this opening game, having to defend their tag of favourites against the side who are the reigning champions in this competition. While this centenary edition can be seen as a separate event, many will be viewing it as the next instalment of the Copa. Can Chile live up to being holders, and prove that they aren’t just reliant on home support in order to succeed?
Chile still do have a lot to prove after their win last year. This is a quick defence of their title, so not too much should have changed for them since they won it. Having said that, they’re up against an Argentina side who were expected to win 12 months ago, and they’re expected to win again now.
They tend to make slow starts in tournaments, and they’re far from the goalscoring force you’d expect. We see this clash being another cagey encounter, and we’re backing a goalless draw, a repeat of the result from two years ago. 0-0 here is priced at 17/2 with Coral, and that’s our tip on this clash.
Tuesday 7th June 2016
USA v Costa Rica (01:00) – USA to win (19/20 with Sky Bet)
The United States face their second group game in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and it’s set to be a tough clash. Costa Rica will be known by many after their run at the 2014 World Cup. Having made the quarter finals of that tournament, can they spring a few surprises at this one? They’ve been handed a tough draw with the hosts, another World Cup quarter finalist and a Paraguay side who finished fourth in Chile 12 months ago. If they’re going to make it out of the group, you’d imagine they’d need a result in this clash to have any chance. But that is a lot easier said than done.
The US will have a massive backing in every game this summer, just as home support carried Chile last time around. Many Americans watched on from home as they pushed into the last 16 in Brazil, just edged out by Belgium. The World Cup was a big turning point for “soccer” in the US and that kind of support should return, and as hosts they have a huge chance to capitalise on that.
They’ve been very strong at home ahead of the tournament, and tournament hosts tend to have support pushing them on to succeed. You’d expect that the States will have an easier time of things against Costa Rica than Colombia, so we’re backing them to take the three points here. USA are priced at 19/20 with Sky Bet to win, and that’s where our money is going.
Colombia v Paraguay (03:30) – Colombia to win (17/20 with Sky Bet)
Following that match, the other two teams in Group A meet, with Colombia coming in as favourites. By this stage in the morning it’s unlikely that you’d be able to keep yourself awake for another 90 minutes of action, so this might be one to miss unless you have a partisan interest – or a big bet!
It’s hard to see Paraguay putting on much of a show in this meeting, they’re not much of a free flowing side. They got to the semi-finals in Chile through trying to keep things tight, and they knocked Brazil out on penalties. Going on to finish fourth, Paraguay ended up having a very respectable tournament.
The same can’t be said for Colombia, but they’ll be desperate to put things right this year. The draw has given them a strong chance of making the quarters at least, and you’d fancy that they can impress with talents like James Rodriguez in their side.
They aren’t known for their strong defensive ability, but we can see Colombia having what it takes to break through a resolute Paraguay defence. With Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado and AC Milan’s Carlos Bacca in the side, you come to expect goals. This should end up being a very one sided affair here, so we’re backing the Colombians at 17/20 with Sky Bet.
Thursday 9th June 2016
Ecuador v Peru (02:00) – Peru to win (13/5 with Sky Bet)
Brazil take on Haiti in the other clash in this group, but it’s this game that catches our eye. While seeing the Brazilians run riot over the minnows could be entertaining, it’s not a match for betting value. This game can be, as these two teams battle it out for a place in the last eight alongside Brazil. We can’t see Dunga’s men slipping to an embarrassing group stage exit, and that leaves one place up for grabs in the next round. This is basically a head to head clash to see who can take second place.
Ecuador come in with some strong form, but Peru showed their skills in the last Copa. They made an incredible run to the semis, losing 2-1 to eventual winners Chile. Peru beat Paraguay and took third spot, and since then they’ve had some mixed form.
Despite not being at their best in recent weeks, we still think the Peruvians will be able to improve when they get into this tournament. They face a struggle to make it out of the group, but that’s something they’re used to. In a one off game they can threaten anyone, and we think they’re overpriced at 13/5 with Sky Bet.
See also:
- Copa America BTTS tips (7th to 10th June)