The group stages of the Copa America will come to a climax this week and on Tuesday it will be the turn of the Group C teams to battle for a place in the quarter-finals.
The pre-tournament totesport market had Uruguay down as the team who would stroll into the last eight along with Chile, while Peru and a youthful Mexico side were tipped to drop out of the running.
But, like Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay have yet to win after two group games, while Peru’s win against Mexico has given them the upper hand in terms of qualification along with the Chileans as the two sides go head-to-head in a game where a draw could be enough to send both through.
Uruguay must win against Mexico, who could also still qualify, and hope results go in their favour to progress so it is set to be an evening of twists and turns.
Chile v Peru
The Pacific ‘Clasico’ in Mendoza sees two teams in good form go head-to-head in a match which will have the added spice factor of the two neighbouring countries not exactly being the best of friends in the political world.
Chile (8/11 To Win) have been well backed in the tournament with 30,000 fans coming across the border into Argentina to see a draw with Uruguay and a 2-1 win against Mexico in which they battled back from a goal down.
The likes of Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal are both in impressive form and coach Claudio Borghi will be hoping they can shine again against the Peruvians as they aim to go one better than four final defeats in the past.
The 1975 champions Peru (18/5 To Win 90 Minutes) also drew with Uruguay and defeated Mexico in their group games so there is little to divide the sides in terms of form ahead of this clash.
Hamburg striker Paolo Guerrero is the man in form for Peru with goals in both games to date as he has helped the Incas to overcome the unavailability of stars such as Claudio Pizarro and Jefferson Farfan.
A draw could be enough to send both teams through but neither side is going into the clash thinking that way as they go for the win to be certain of a quarter-final spot.
Games involving Peru don’t usually bring a lot of goals to the table – they have kept clean sheets in four of their last six games – so don’t expect a goal-fest.
Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 9/4
Value Bet: 0-0 Correct Score @ 6/1
Uruguay v Mexico
This is the more interesting clash as both sides know they must win the game in La Plata to have any chance of reaching the last eight.
Uruguay’s prospects have not been helped by the loss of striker Edinson Cavani due to the twisted knee ligaments he suffered in the 1-1 draw against Chile, while left-back Martin Caceres is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament.
Abel Hernandez and Cristian Rodriguez are favourites to replace Cavani while Alvaro Pereira is likely to drop back from midfield to defence to replace Caceres, with Alvaro Gonzalez taking his place in midfield.
But with the likes of Diego Forlan and Liverpool hitman Luis Suarez set to be involved, you can’t help but think they will find another gear when it matters to get more goals.
Mexico have been in disarray since arriving for the tournament as invitees given that they had already won the CONCACAF Gold Cup so opted to look to their younger squad members to bring them success in Argentina.
With the loss of eight members of the regular national team and false drug allegations also hampering the Mexicans, it is no surprise they have narrowly lost their opening group games.
They must win (Mexico 11/2 To Win) and hope to secure a last-eight spot via a best third-placed finish, but coach Luis Fernando Tena’s men could well be jetting home after this game.
Prediction: Uruguay To Win 90 Minutes @ 1/2
Value Bet: Uruguay 3-1 Correct Score @ 11/1
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