Argentina v Colombia
Football : Copa America 2011
Wednesday 6 July 2011 - Kickoff 9:45pm (Local Time)
This game is live on TV

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Preview

Now there are always surprises in the world of football, but I dont think there were many out there that would have predicted Argentina, the hosts and favourties of the Copa America this year, drawing with Bolivia thanks to a late goal from Sergio Aguero.

Colombia on the other hand have virtually one foot through to the Quarter Finals in a competition where only 4 of the 12 teams are eliminated in the Group Stage. Their 1-0 win over Costa Rica was not pretty, but it means Colombia are well on their way to the next Round regardless of the result tonight.

The competition as a whole has been a slight disappointment during the first round of matches, well it has in my opinion anyway. The Argentine performance against Bolivia set the tone for the performances we have seen so far while Brazil were another very short priced favourite that failed to perform.

Regardless of their performance, Argentina remain the favourites to win the competition as no other nation pulled up trees in their opening games. There is a bit of pressure on the team to perform to the standards expected by the fans, although they are not in any real danger of failing to qualify.

There has been plenty of criticism of the team in the media and they have been accused by former players of playing as a group of individuals rather than as a team. The one big blot of Lionel Messi's fabulous career has been his limited impact on the international stage.

Sergio Batista has already announced that he will start with the same team that drew with Bolivia last time out.

Colombia might be one of only two teams that gained the full 3 points from their opening game, but they were largely disappointing considering they were up against a mainly Under 23 Costa Rican side. They particularly struggled considering Costa Rica were reduced to 10 men for much of the game.

The much sought after Falcao will lead the line for Colombia, but they did not look the most threatening team going forward. There is also a real case for them to play in a similar manner as Bolivia and make sure they defend well and look to secure a point that will send them on their way to the Quarter Finals.

Head to Head

These two nations have met 9 times since 2000- Argentina have won 6 of those games, Colombia have won 2 and there has been 1 draw.

Argentina have won all 3 meetings between the nations in Argentina in that time, all without conceding a goal.

Argentina have also beaten Colombia in the last 2 Copa America tournaments in Peru and Venezuala.

Prediction

I was largely disappointed that Argentina failed to win the game with a clean sheet when they met Bolivia in the opening game, but that has not stopped me going back to the well this time.

Colombia did not look as menacing going forward as they could have when they played Costa Rica, a youthful Costa Rica at that. They do have some attacking talent, but we could see a Colombia team that decides to play conservatively in the hope of sneaking a point.

Argentina have been criticised for not playing as a team, but I expect more from them this time and I do expect them to win this game without conceding a goal, a winner in their 3 previous games in Argentina.

The Pick :

Argentina 1-0 Colombia

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Argentina to WIN to NIL @ 2.10 (Various)