COPA AMERICA BETTING PREVIEW - VENEZUELA VS CANADA

Copa America

2024-07-05 - Venezuela vs Canada

A Sports Betting Preview by Auls

Venezuela v Canada
Football: Copa America 2024 Quarter Final
Friday 5th July 2024 - Kick Off 8pm
British Time: 2am

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Venezuela

They may have arrived in the United States for the Copa America as the third favourite in Group B, but Venezuela have already shown much more than that in their early World Cup Qualifiers. Instead of being overawed by Ecuador, Mexico and Jamaica, Venezuela have made light work of the opponents and the team will be looking to take the nation into the Copa America Semi Finals for just the second time.

There was perhaps an element of fortune in Venezuela's win over ten man Ecuador in the opening fixture, but further wins over Mexico and Jamaica meant earning a 100% record in the section. That secured top spot comfortably and also means Venezuela avoid playing the World Champions until the Semi Final at least.

Venezuela had not won any of their 5 games ahead of the Copa America, but confidence will have been restored by 3 straight victories, including beating two CONCACAF opponents. Consecutive clean sheets will have really made Fernando Batista happy as he returns to the sideline having been suspended for the last Group fixture against Jamaica.

Canada

Failures of the likes of United States and Mexico at the Copa America means only World Cup co-hosts Canada are left of the three nations hosting games in two years time. While those two nations will be questioning the approach they need, Canada will be happy under Jesse Marsch in his limited time with the national team.

An opening defeat to Argentina put Canada in a precarious position, but back to back clean sheets against Peru and Chile helped them past those two South American nations. There was some fortune for Canada to play ten men Peru with a late goal secured to earn the three points before a goalless draw with Chile.

Canada have scored a single goal and won 1 of their last 5 games overall and finding the balance between attack and defence will be key if they are going to earn a spot in the Copa America Semi Final. There has been some resistance shown with Canada losing 1 of their last 4 fixtures.

Head to Head

Both previous matches between Venezuela and Canada have been in international friendlies and both also ended in draws.

The last of those meetings was all the way back in May 2010.

Prediction

Earning a spot at Copa America will have given Canada some strong competitive experience, but that is only enhanced by the fact they have managed to edge past Peru and Chile into the Quarter Final.

Finishing behind Argentina is not a big surprise, but Canada offered a threat in that game against the World Champions and that has to give the team confidence.

It is still a learning process under Jesse Marsch and there is a slight concern with the lack of goals being scored. Defensively they will be pleased with consecutive clean sheets, but Canada may need to show a bit more in the final third to get the better of a confident looking Venezuela team.

Winning Group B means avoiding Argentina in the Quarter Final and Venezuela have beaten all three teams faced in the tournament.

Beating Mexico and Jamaica will be considered good learning games for Venezuela ahead of facing Canada and the feeling is that they will get the better of this opponent too. Like Canada, Venezuela will be happy with the defensive showings, but they have also been a lot more impressive in the final third and that may end up proving to be the difference between the teams.

The Pick :

Venezuela 1-0 Canada

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Venezuela 0 Asian Handicap at 1.82 with Bet365