LOOKING for the best Copa America bets concerning Group C? We asked BBC’s South American football correspondent Tim Vickery (@Tim_Vickery) and our own Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) for their thoughts.
Tim Vickery’s Verdict
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/206968501?secret_token=s-244cI” params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]Mark O’Haire’s Verdict
1st) Colombia
Colombia head coach Jose Pekerman’s is doing his best to dampen expectations, preferring to look towards World Cup qualification but Los Cafeteros can build on their burgeoning reputation with a strong showing in Chile this summer.
Like all 11 of their competition rivals, Colombia have their faults but a burning desire for revenge against Brazil could see Pekerman’s charges clinch a point and with it top spot. Would or could Los Cafeteros take Group C gold on goal difference? It’s entirely plausible with such an array of attacking talent at their disposal. I’ll back them to do so at a hunky 2/1 (BetVictor).
2nd) Brazil
You’d expect a side with 26 wins from their past 31 outings and going by the name of Brazil to be heavy, heavy favourites in a four-horse race. The Selecao are rated at 8/13 (BetVictor) to take top spot in Group C but there’s enough doubt to look elsewhere.
Eight friendly wins under the returning Dunga has lifted spirits after that torturous World Cup last summer and although their relentlessly grinding football won’t excite the masses, the current crop’s functionality should see them go close to lifting the trophy.
Taking matters back to Group C, I’m not prepared to invest my faith in the Selecao topping the tree. Colombia are capable of taking a point off Dunga’s men and from there it’ll be a straight shootout against Venezuela and Peru to see who takes top honours and that’s where Brazil could come up short.
3rd) Peru
Peru finished third at the 2011 Copa America but just two road wins in 11 years (both on neutral territory in the Copa) shows just how tall a task Ricardo Gareca faces in June, having been in charge for just a matter of months.
The Incas will look to the flanks and full-backs to provide pace and ammunition on the break for an ageing but capable forward line but whether La Blanquirroja can keep the goals out against high-class opposition appears unlikely.
4th) Venezuela
- Group C Winner: 20/1 (William Hill)
- Top-Two Group C Finish: 4/1 (BetVictor)
Finishing fourth at the last Copa America has proven to be a false dawn for Venezuelan football and La Vinotinto have been struggling to adapt to Noel Sanvincente’s stewardship over the first 12 months of his reign.
The goals have dried up and defensively Venezuela can look far from watertight and will struggle against pace. So finding the magic formula in a group alongside Colombia and Brazil looks a little fanciful.
La Vinotinto know their duel with Peru is their best chance of putting points on the board but an early exit beckons with preparation time hugely disrupted over the past nine months.
Best Bets
Tim Vickery – Brazil to win Group A (8/13 BetVictor)
Tim Vickery – Brazil/Colombia straight forecast (7/4 Boylesports)
Mark O'Haire – Colombia to win Group A (2/1 BetVictor)
Mark O'Haire – Brazil/Colombia duel forecast (8/13 Boylesports)
Fixtures
- 14th June 2015 | Colombia vs Venezuela | 20.00 | Premier Sports
- 14th June 2015 | Brazil vs Peru | 22.30 | Premier Sports
- 18th June 2015 | Brazil vs Colombia | 01.00 | Premier Sports
- 19th June 2015 | Peru vs Venezuela | 00.30 | Premier Sports
- 21st June 2015 | Colombia vs Peru | 20.00 | Premier Sports
- 21st June 2015 | Brazil vs Venezuela | 22.30 | Premier Sports
