Uruguay v Peru
Saturday 29th June 2000hrs
Football – International – Copa America
Pick Uruguay
Bookmaker Betway
Odds: 8/11 (odds taken 12.00 GMT, Saturday 28th June)
Uruguay and Peru were competing in the World Cup this time last summer but it’s all about the Copa America and attempting to reach the semi-final stage.
Copa American Betting at Betway
Uruguay Preview – Are Uruguay set for a first semi-final since 2011?
The 2011 Copa America in Argentina was essentially the coming of age of this Uruguay team. Having reached the semi-final of the World Cup the year previous, the expectation was that group of players would go from strength to strength. En route to that success eight years ago they defeated the hosts and Peru before thrashing Paraguay 3-0 in the final. There are a number of players who remain from that squad and Oscar Tabarez remains in charge. The signs so far from this competition suggest that they may well not be far away from repeating that feat. Uruguay took seven points from the group stage with wins over Ecuador and Chile top to top the section. The 2-2 draw against Japan was somewhat out of character considering how defensively sound they usually are.
Despite having an exceptional group of players and competing well in the World Cups, Uruguay have not been able to follow up that success in 2011. With their core group of players ageing this could well be their last chance of winning something in their current guise. The senior players are certainly doing their bit with Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani both scoring twice so far. They will once again be pivotal now entering the knockout stage.
Peru Preview – Can Peru reach the last four for the third time in four attempts?
The Peruvians may not be among the more illustrious names of South American football, but they have certainly held their own of late. Peru have finished third in two out the last three Copa Americas, in both 2011 and 2015. As alluded to above it was Uruguay who ended their hopes whilst Chile were narrowly too good for them four years later. It says something that on both occasions they were beaten by the eventual winners. They sailed through their group a year later in the Centenary running of the competition but knocked out at this stage by Colombia. The consistency they have shown over this period has been excellent. And that’s furthered by them reaching the World Cup finals last summer. It’s been something of a mixed bag so far in 2019, however.
Peru opened this competition with a goalless draw against Venezuela before comfortably seeing off Bolivia. Qualification was uncertain at that point so being thrashed 5-0 by hosts Brazil was certainly not part of the plan. Somewhat fortunately, results elsewhere went for them and they progressed as one of the two best third-place teams. Peru will hope to capitalise on that and bounce back from the heavy defeat to Brazil.
Key-Facts – Uruguay v Peru
- Uruguay have been impressive for the most part so far, topping their group with seven points
- Peru have reached the semi-final stage in two of the last three Copa Americas but have already been thrashed 5-0 in this competition
- Suarez and Cavani have scored two goals each and are often the difference for Uruguay
Uruguay v Peru Betting Advice
For all that Uruguay are the most prolific winning nation in Copa America history it’s been Peru who have been more consistent of late. The most recent of their two competition wins came in 1975 and it would be something of a surprise to see them break that this time around, but it would be foolish to write them off completely. On the evidence we’ve seen so far it’s Uruguay who are best placed to go all the way, especially with their front two in good form.
The two nations met twice in the 2011 competition but have not faced each since in Copa America action. Spoils were shared in the South American World Cup Qualification campaign with both teams winning their home games. It’s likely we’re in for another close game as Uruguay and Peru try to progress with the winners facing Chile on Thursday. Uruguay have shown much more attacking threat in the games so far and that quality could well be the difference. The quarter-finals we’ve seen so far have all been tight and light on goals. There’s no reason to think this one will be any different but Uruguay should have just enough to prevail.
