Holders to get off to strong start
Copa America holders Brazil will be overwhelming favourites when they meet Venezuela in the tournament opener at Estadio Nacional de Brasilia. Venezuela have their work cut out in Group B however only need to avoid rock bottom to progress to the quarter finals with Colombia, Peru and Ecuador their rivals. La Vinotinto’s likely approach will be to contain the Selecao but it will be tough with the embarrassment of attacking options at Tite’s disposal. Brazil have dominated South American international football in the last few years and they will want to continue their upward trend.
Background
Hardworking Torino midfielder Tomas Rincon will skipper the outsiders and now at 33 will be using his experience to guide Venezuela into the knockout stages. Their big games lie elsewhere against the likes of Ecuador and Peru, if they can keep the score down here they will be content to move on without their goal difference taking a hammering. They only lost 1-0 in these two’s most recent meeting, World Cup qualifying in November, it will be a rinse and repeat in terms of tactics for this one. Despite being favourites to prop up the group, in that they will potentially have a huge say in the placings of the top four with all other nations seeing Venezuela as their best opportunity to take maximum points. With four out of five progressing, there is plenty to play for.
Neymar loves the spotlight and that will be on him tenfold for this tournament, with Brazil taking the favourites tag the weight of expectation will be even greater on the Paris Saint-Germain man than those of his former teammate Lionel Messi. Richarlison is a huge threat in behind with his pace and physicality, therefore Brazil have the threats from all angles even if their talisman has an off day, Venezuela look low hanging fruit in this one.
Goals?
Selecao may look to ease themselves into the tournament with the elongated group stage, managing games well will be key. With the quality on show it is hard to pinpoint a goals based angle.
- Brazil have scored in eight of ten.
- Brazil have conceded in five of ten.
- Brazil have seen both teams score in three of ten.
- Brazil have seen over 2.5 goals in three of ten.
- Venezuela have scored in five of ten.
- Venezuela have conceded in eight of ten.
- Venezuela have seen both teams score in four of ten.
- Venezuela have conceded in five of ten.
Brazil will justify the market here, let’s take a shorter punt to ease us into a busy few weeks.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
A comfortable winner to round off the week, 3-0 Brazil.