2015 Copa America: Brazil vs Colombia preview

June 16, 2015
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

2015 Copa America: Brazil v ColombiaStar-studded Brazil side needed a last-gasp winner to defeat Peru in their opening game and the Seleccao will want to extend their winning run to 12 matches when they face Colombia.

Los Cafeteros suffered a shock defeat to Venezuela, meaning this would be the perfect time to get revenge on Brazil for the 2-1 loss in the 2014 World Cup quarter-final.

The Seleccao arrived in Chile desperate to make amends for the embarrassing exit at the 2014 World Cup with Carlos Dunga taking a very strong side to the 2015 Copa America.

Having won all eleven previous fixtures since the coach took over the reigns, Brazil were seen as hot favourites in their opening fixture against Peru.

But, while Neymar’s goal quickly cancelled Christian Cueva’s early opener, the Seleccao later struggled to break their hard-working opponents.

It was the Barcelona star who again came to the rescue as he provided a defence-splitting pass for Douglas Costa, who passed the ball into the net to make it 2-1.

There are no doubts the Seleccao will have bigger fish to fry in their second group fixture, but they remain 2.10 (11/10) favourites to claim maximum points.

The good news is that Liverpool hotshot Philippe Coutinho has recovered from a hamstring problem and he should be recalled.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Jefferson – Alves, Miranda, Luiz, Filipe Luis – Elias, Fernandinho – Willian, Coutinho, Neymar – Firmino.

Many would argue that this is one of the strongest teams in Colombia’s history, but it will not be easy for the players to live up to the billing.

Los Cafeteros performed well at the 2014 World Cup, but were stopped by Brazil in the quarter-final and will now be keen to get revenge on the Seleccao.

Colombia were far from impressive in their opening Copa America fixture, losing to Venezuela 1-0, although they still largely dominated the encounter.

And with the team clearly having more potential than they are showing, maybe there is value in odds of 3.90 (29/10) offered on Los Cafeteros to win.

Jose Pekerman is widely expected to make changes to his starting line-up, with Pablo Armero and Carlos Bacca likely to be dropped.

In spite of the poor run of form, star players Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado should keep their places in the side.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-2-2): Ospina – Arias, Zapata, Murillo, Zuniga – Sanchez, Valencia – Cuadrado, Rodriguez – Gutierrez, Falcao.

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