The second set of group matches in the Copa America begin on Thursday evening when Group B is back on the menu. The double header begins with the former champions Colombia going up against Venezuela in Goiania.
Colombia got their campaign up and running with a win and will be looking to push on and secure their qualification with a second win here. Venezuela lost their opening match but it was against Brazil so in many ways their campaign begins here.
Colombia
You wouldn’t say it was the most convincing win in their opening match for Colombia but given they had been given a good hiding by Ecuador in World Cup qualifying they will have happily settled for it. They chose to leave some pretty big attacking talent on the bench in that game after a long season and a couple of qualifiers for the World Cup leading up to the event, so you’ve got to think that there is plenty more to come from them.
I think this is a tournament where teams are going to look to peak for the three knockout matches. Teams like Colombia will be in no danger of not qualifying so they can rotate their stock and ensure everyone is both up to speed but at the same time well rested heading into the knockout stages. As a neutral watching on you’d like to see a little more intensity from them but perhaps that will also come in the latter stages.
Venezuela
This has already been a nightmare campaign for Venezuela. Not only have their already lost their opening match to Brazil fairly comfortably but they have had all kinds of issues with Covid-19 running through the camp which means players have left and replacements have been called in. That has all left them with a weakened side for the remainder of the competition. They will use the ‘next man up’ mind-set but that only really works when you have any sort of strength in depth.
You would think that is going to guarantee that Venezuela play with a low block and look to get something on the counter attack so they probably aren’t going to be the best watch in the world but needs must at times like this I guess. If they can find a goal early whether it is through a counter attack or a set-piece then it would give them something to hang onto and protect. All they are looking for to go through is a win somewhere along the line.
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Team News
Colombia chose to leave both Duvan Zupata and Luis Muriel on the bench for the opening game but if they are looking to rotate throughout the group stage then both of those could come in here. Davinson Sanchez is another who will be pushing for a starting place.
Venezuela have lost a bunch of their squad for this tournament including their captain Tomas Rincon so they are up against it here. Josef Martinez missed the opening match and might well be done for the tournament as well which is less than ideal.
Betting
I expect to see more from Colombia in this match and as such I’m happy enough to back them to win this one by more than a goal. We know this is a weakened Venezuela side and it isn’t just the weaker players that will be on the pitch which is going to be an issue it is the disrupted preparation and everything that goes with it. When you add on top of that the limited resources they had available in their opening match were all given the run around by Brazil and you could see this being a long night for La Vinotinto.
Colombia weren’t at their best in the first game but we shouldn’t forget that they won that opening game and I expect them to be better here against weaker opponents. I’m pretty sure the plan for Colombia is to improve the longer the competition goes on so it stands to reason that they should have far too much for Venezuela here. I’ll take the strong odds against on them winning this one by more than a goal.
Tips
Back Colombia (-1) to beat Venezuela for a 3/10 stake at 2.25 with Betfair
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