The semi-final stages of an unpredictable Copa America will get underway on Tuesday evening when Argentina’s conquerors Uruguay will face a Peru side which defied the odds to see off Colombia in their last-eight showdown on Saturday night.

It all points towards a routine success for the Uruguayans (7/10 To Win 90 Minutes) as they go in search of a 15th Copa America title success, but in a tournament which has been littered with shocks as Brazil, Chile and the hosts Argentina have all been dismissed, it is becoming increasingly difficult to know exactly what will happen.

Add to the fact that these two sides met in the opening game of Group C and played out a 1-1 draw (5/1 1-1 Correct Score) and it highlights the possibility of a difficult evening ahead for Uruguay.

It is also a pupil-versus-master scenario in La Plata as Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez will be up against his former Bella Vista coach Sergio Markarian, who has worked wonders with a Peru side which finished bottom of the Conmebol World Cup qualifying.

Key forwards Jefferson Farfan and Claudio Pizarro were ruled out of this tournament before a ball was even kicked, while Juan Vargas has needed to be wrapped in cotton wool between games due to a leg muscle problem which has blighted him throughout.

But it is the midfield form of Vargas and William Chiroque, who have supported lone forward Paolo Guerrero, and a solid defensive organisation which has been effective in helping the Peruvians reach the last-four.

Therefore it will be a blow for Markarian if Chiroque cannot shake off the hamstring injury which he picked up during the 2-0 win against Colombia (16/1 Peru To Win 2-0 Correct Score) at the weekend as he will want all hands on deck for another testing encounter.

Uruguay, who are looking for their first Copa America win since 1995, will recall their success on Argentinian soil back in 1987 – when they also defeated the hosts and then world champions along the way – as a possible lucky omen going into the Peru clash.

Tabarez set his stall out to try and nullify the impressive Argentinian attacking options, led by Lionel Messi in their penalty shoot-out win, and then went for goals on the break with Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez and Alvaro Pereira all capable of finding the net.

But with his side favourites he will have to be careful not fall victim to his own tactics which will no doubt be employed by Markarian as he will look for his Peruvian players to soak up what the Uruguayans can throw at them and try and pick up what they can at the other end of the field.

I am not expecting a goal-fest in this game as the previous meeting on July 4 was a draw, while both Uruguay and Peru have only scored four goals respectively in as many games so far.

However, basing my prediction on the superior attacking power of Uruguay and the possible loss of Chiroque from the Peruvian ranks, Tabarez will probably have just the edge over Markarian, but it could be another long night.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: Peru/Draw HT/FT @ 14/1

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