We now know that the Copa America final will be an all-South American occasion and on Wednesday night we will find out who will oppose Argentina in Sunday’s final when Colombia take on the defending champions Chile.
Both sides were runners up in their group and had differing paths into this semi-final. Colombia were edgy and nervy against Peru but survived the dreaded penalty shootout whereas Chile were on absolute easy street as they obliterated Mexico.
We know all about Colombia in forward areas but we’ve not really seen them defensively. Their quarter final was very weird. They never really looked like breaking Peru down but at the same time you felt there was more for them to give. Clearly they will need to be at 100% in this match.
You would think Colombia are going to be severely tested in defensive areas here so it is vital that the defence is given the protection that it needs. It will be interesting to see if Colombia invite Chile onto them and look to nail them on the counter attack.
It had been a slow start to the tournament for Chile with a comfortable defeat to Argentina and a very laboured win over Bolivia but they came to life when they battered Panama in their final group match and then tore Mexico to shreds in the quarter final on what has to be one of the most famous nights in their footballing history.
Quite how much we can take out of the win over Mexico remains to be seen because Mexico were an absolute shambles defensively and the way they caved in was criminal really but let’s not take anything away from a ruthless Chilean performance.
Team News
Colombia forward Carlos Bacca has played down any fears that he won’t be fit for the game despite suggestions that he is carrying an ankle injury. He has been declared fit to start the game.
Chile will be without their captain Arturo Vidal for this one. He picked up a second yellow card in the win over Mexico so he is suspended here but Mauricio Isla, who missed that game through suspension, is able to return to the side.
Head to Head
Chile have won 14 of the 36 matches these two have played although they haven’t won any of the last three. Colombia have 12 wins and there have been 10 draws so historically there hasn’t been too much between the sides. There are generally goals when the two meet though which should be good for us neutrals.
Betting
Recent history between these two suggests we’re going to get goals in this semi-final and the way Chile have come to life in attack in recent matches would certainly support that claim too.
Five of the last seven matches between these two sides have had more than 2.5 goals with the other two in that run having exactly two so a recent theme when the two sides go against each other is that we’ll see goals and the way both have defended in this tournament I fancy more here.
We’ve got the leading scorer Eduardo Vargas on show in this match as well as the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Juan Caudrado, James Rodriguez and Carlos Bacca so we’re not short of goal options in the game. Initially I thought Colombia winning was the way to go in this match but Chile’s destruction of Mexico has made me cautious about that. I like the idea of goals here.
Tips
Back Over 2.25 goals for a 4/10 stake at 1.99 with 188bet
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