Copa America: Argentina vs Colombia preview

July 5, 2011
By: Frank Beresford

Argentina will have something to prove after they were held to 1:1 draw in their opening game against Bolivia, whereas Colombia can virtually secure the place in the quarter-finals with one point from this game.

Before the tournament started everybody saw La Albiceleste as the main candidates for the trophy, but Sergio Batista’s men failed to justify the favourites’ tag against Venezuela.

Argentina dominated the proceedings but could only muster a 1:1 draw following another under-par performance.

La Celeste are now in a position to try and make amends against very good Colombia side and that will not be as easy as the odds of 1.44 (4/9) offered on home win would suggest.

Coach Batista has vowed not to make big changes to the starting line-up, although the reports are suggesting that Kun Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta will replace Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marcos Rojo in the starting 11.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Romero – Zanetti, Burdisso, Milito, Zabaleta – Banega, Mascherano, Cambiasso – Aguero, Messi, Tevez.

Just like all the tournament favourites, Colombia didn’t have an easy job in their opening game as Costa Rica proved a tough nut to crack.

Los Cafeteros started the game brightly and created several scoring chances during the opening exchanges, before Costa Rica had a man sent off just before the half-hour mark.

Colombia took good use of their numerical advantage to score just before the half-time break and they will be very satisfied with the opening win even it could have been much more convincing.

Hernan Gomez’s side are now looking to prove their worth against tournament hosts and they are now 3.10 (21/10) with Sportingbet not to lose in Santa Fe.

With no fresh injuries to report, the gaffer is expected to field the same side that started the Costa Rica match.

Probable starting line-up (4-1-4-1): Martinez – Zuniga, Perea, Yepes, Armero – Bolivar – Aguilar, Guarin, Moreno, Ramos – Falcao.

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