Three main contenders for claiming South America’s main national team football tournament shouldn’t face major challenges in winning their second group stage clashes this week
Matchday 2 of the 46th Copa America kicks off this Tuesday, 18 June, when hosts Brazil take on Venezuela looking for their second win. Rivals Argentina, on the other hand, are under pressure after their 2-0 shock defeat to Colombia and should face more hardships against Paraguay the following day. Uruguay, the tournament’s most successful side with 15 titles, clash against Asian invitees Japan on Thursday, 20 June.
First things first
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Following an unconvincing first half, Brazil upped their game after half-time and easily downed Bolivia 3-0 in their first round match last Friday in São Paulo. Now, the hosts of the tournament and favourites to take it for the eighth time face underdogs Venezuela on Copa America’s secondMatchday 2 match on Tuesday, 18 June, set to begin with Bolivia x Peru, with odds favouring Peru to be the victors at 1.48. Bolivia are the underdogs at 7.00, with a draw priced in the middle at 4.10.
Going back to Coutinho, Firmino and Jesus, who are playing the competition without an injured Neymar Jr., they have 1.14 chances of defeating Venezuela in Salvador, according to Oddsshark, with the latter all the way out at 22.00 to pull off what would be a major upset.
Wednesday, 19 June will kick-off with odds backing an uneventful Colombian victory over Qatar in São Paulo – who along with Japan, are the second non South-American squad invited to participate in this edition.
Bets come in at 1.33 in favour of Rodríguez and Falcao’s side, who displayed top form in their 2-0 shock defeat of Argentina in the first round. With that being said, Qatar also surprised many after coming back from a 2-0 loss to draw with favourites Paraguay on Sunday at Rio’s iconic Maracanã Stadium. Therefore, it should make for an interesting clash.
Argentina desperately need to win
In the second line-up of the day, however, Argentina should sweat a whole deal more to break through Paraguay’s traditionally solid defence. Particularly since Messi & co were rather easily dominated by the Colombians in their 2-0 first round defeat to Falcao’s squad on Saturday in Salvador.
The Argentines, who lost to Chile both in the 2015 and 2016 finals, have been outspoken on their intent on claiming their first major senior’s men title since the 1993 Copa America. To do so, however, they need to defeat Paraguay and show what they came for.
The two-time winning World Cup side stand at 1.41 odds of winning their first three points in the competition at Belo Horizonte’s Mineirão Stadium.
In contrast, Paraguay’s betters put them at 8.00 stakes of taking it. They drew 2-2 with Qatar in their first round match. If you’re not sure about this one, you could make a US$22 profit if you decide to bet US$5 of your money on a draw at 4.40.
Uruguay take on invitees Japan looking to qualify for the knock-out stage
With 15 trophies – though Argentina are steadily closing in at 14– Uruguay are Copa America’s most successful team, having won its first edition way back in 1916, and are evidently always a highly respected side to face.
Even more so, we must add, after their impressive 4-0 thrashing of Ecuador in the first round of Group C last Sunday, 16 June in Belo Horizonte. This time around, Suárez and Cavani, who both netted in the first match, along with Seattle Sounder’s NicolásLodeiro, take to the pitch to face Japan at Porto Alegre’s Arena do Grêmio.
Oddssharkbetters put the Celeste, as the side is known, as the favourites to claim three more points and secure their spot at the Quarter-Final stage at 1.23. The Asians, who lost 4-0 to Chile in the first round, are clearly the underdogs, priced at a distant 13.75 odds to stun Uruguay.
Copa America’s second round wraps up on Friday, 21 June when Chile, back-to-back winners in 2015 and 2016, take on Ecuador.
2019 Copa AméricaMatchday 2 Preview:
Tuesday, 18 June
(7.00) Bolivia x Peru (1.50); draw (4.05)
(1.14) Brazil x Venezuela (22.00); draw (7.50)
Wednesday, 19 June
(1.33) Colombia x Qatar (10.25); draw (4.50)
(1.41) Argentina x Paraguay (8.00); draw (4.40)
Thursday, 20 June
(1.23) Uruguay x Japan (13.75); draw (5.85)
Friday, 21 June
(4.65) Ecuador x Chile (1.86); draw (3.30)
