The third quarter final kicks off the double header of action in the Copa America on Saturday evening when two potential title challengers meet in Brasilia as Uruguay take on Colombia for a spot in the last four.
These two sides have had solid rather than spectacular campaigns but both probably knew from a good distance out that they would be in these quarter finals so you hope that they show their true form now the business part of the competition is underway.
Uruguay
Uruguay laboured out of the blocks in this tournament like a number of sides in this event did but when they needed to show their worth they were able to by winning their final two matches. You wouldn’t say they were amazing in those matches but they got the wins which saw them finish second in the group behind Argentina and now they will fancy their chances of one last title tilt with this golden generation of Uruguayan footballers.
Uruguay have been defensively sound in this tournament, although it has to be said there is a strong suspicion that age is going to catch up with them at some point. That means they are going to need to be at their best in the offensive areas if they are going to go and win this tournament. They do have two of the best forwards in South American football though so we shouldn’t rule out those two combining for something special.
Colombia
I guess you could say the same about Colombia in that they have been effective more than inspirational in this tournament so far. They probably weren’t as fancied to do as well in this renewal as they were in previous ones but then when you look down their side they certainly aren’t weak so you suspect there is a lot more to come from them. That will probably need to come out here, especially in attacking areas.
I’ve sensed a lack of spark in the Colombian attack in this tournament. I guess much of that is down to the fact that they have rested and rotated throughout the competition but if you include the World Cup qualifiers prior to this event beginning, the squad will have been together for some time so I expected more. Where they have looked fine is defensively where the impressive Wilmar Barrios provided a solid shield to the back four.
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Team News
Uruguay rested their senior players for various times in the previous match against Paraguay but you would imagine they will be restored to full strength here with Diego Godin and Luis Suarez back in their regular positions.
Colombia have also been resting and rotating their side through the competition so they will need to have decided on which front men to use for this match. Yerry Mina and Davinson Sanchez would appear to be the first choice at the back.
Betting
I wouldn’t say I’ve been impressed with either of these two sides so far in the competition but I fancy there is more to come from Uruguay whereas I’m not sure Colombia know who or what they are at the minute. Uruguay have only beaten Bolivia and Paraguay in this competition so far but they have looked more solid in doing it than Colombia did in their sole win over Ecuador. This is a Colombia side who couldn’t beat a weakened Venezuela in their second match too.
I’m not going to go into this match without a bit of draw cover but I am going to take the better attacking prowess of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani who have both shown their class in the tournament to date, unlike Colombia who have relied a lot on set plays and who will be missing their attacking spark of Juan Cuadrado here too. It might not be completely convincing but I think Uruguay are the team to be with here.
Tips
Back Uruguay (-0.25AH) to beat Colombia for a 3/10 stake at 1.92 with Bet365
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