Latest Copa America Gambling Guide
Today sees the start of the Copa America which is taking place in Venezuela.
The likes of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay will fight it out with the
other South American countries as well as Mexico and the USA for the right
to call themselves the regions champions.
Most of the countries have taken full strength squads though Brazil will
be missing the likes of Kaka and Ronaldinho after long club seasons and
the Mexicans and Americans will be sending weakened squads after their
efforts in the CONCACAF Gold Cup which ended at the week end.
The first game of the competition kicks of at 22:00 GMT tonight when
Uruguay and Peru play each other in a group that contains hosts Venezuela
and Bolivia.
Uruguay are my value bet to reach the final as if they win the group they
will play on of the two 3rd place teams from the other groups, this in
effect sees that they avoid the big guns Brazil and Argentina till at
least the semi final stage.
Uruguay have taken an almost full strength squad they have a good keeper
in Carini (Inter Milan) and a good spine to the team with Dario Rodriguez
(Schalke) marshalling the defence, Recoba (Inter) creating in midfield and
Forlan (Villareal) always a threat up front.
Uruguay's opponents today Peru had a bad World Cup qualifying campaign and
are in the middle of re building a side to challenge for qualification for
the World Cup in 2010.
Peru do not have Nobby Solano of Newcastle in their squad since his
retirement from International football but have new Chelsea signing
Claudio Pizarro in their squad along with the talented Jefferson Farfan of
PSV, so they are not to be underestimated.
I am going for a Uruguay win however as I feel they have an all-round
stronger team then Peru and in Forlan they have a world class forward.
They are best price 5/6 with Bet direct compared to Peru's 17/4 and the
draw at 12/5.
I also expect the opening match as in most major tournaments to be a low
scoring affair as generally teams are more scared of losing then going for
the win so I will again try my luck with under 2.5 goals which is
currently best price ¾ with Bet 365.
My final bet in on this game will be a speculative shot on Recoba to be
first goal scorer. At best price 8/1 with Ladbroke it is a better value
bet in my opinion they the shorter prices available on forwards.
Recoba has for me one of the best left foots in football and also takes a
high proportion of Uruguay's free kicks so a small investment might prove
to be worth it.
So to recap:
Uruguay to beat Peru @ best price 5/6 with Bet direct
Under 2.5 goals @ best price ¾ with Bet365
Recoba (Uruguay) first goal scorer at best price 8/1 with Ladbrokes
Good luck and happy punting
Silverfox.
