Copa America: Do-or-Die For Venezuela and Peru

Venezuela vs Peru

The final round of the Copa America group stage is going to feature a couple of crucial games that will likely decide who will progress in the final eight.

With three spots in Group B up for grabs, the game between Venezuela and Peru is going to be the first domino to fall to determine who are in and out.

Brazil have assured themselves of a quarterfinals spot since they lead the group with nine points. Meanwhile, Colombia and Peru are level with four while Ecuador and Venezuela are at the bottom with two each.

Ecuador are set to take on Brazil this weekend, and this opens a golden opportunity for both Venezuela and Peru to sneak in since both nations here are poised to grab points.

Venezuela and Peru have been in decent form recently after suffering a setback in their opening game, and both of these proud nations are going to go all-out to advance.

Something has to give between these two, and we are here to examine their chances in this match preview.

Talking Points

Venezuela still coping with their depleted lineup

COVID-19 and injuries have been a bane to Venezuela’s 2021 Copa America campaign, but that didn’t stop them in putting up a valiant stand in this competition.

After losing badly to Brazil in the opener, La Vinotinto were able to net crucial points with their positive Copa America 2021 results against Colombia and Ecuador.

Jose Peseiro’s men were the big underdogs against Colombia given the latter’s firepower, but their defence held firm just enough to hold them goalless while reducing them to 10 men.

Their game against Ecuador, meanwhile, was a different story altogether as they both exchanged goals in a four-goal thriller.

Ronald Hernandez scores the second goal for Venezuela during the Copa America match — Venezuela’s Ronald Hernandez celebrates scoring their second goal against Ecuador

When the Venezuelans were trailing by one goal in the final 19 minutes, Atlanta United standout Ronald Hernandez came off the bench and bailed out his team to even the score in added time.

With his instant impact, Jose Peseiro might need to consider pairing him up with Fernando Aristeguieta in the starting XI.

Besides Ronald Hernandez, La Vinotinto have other MLS standouts that can deal significant damage to Peru’s backline in this contest.

Philadelphia Union midfielder Jose Martinez offers pace and creativity, while DC United and New York Red Bulls forwards Junior Moreno and Cristian Casseres will aim to open their account here in the tournament.

Peru are showing grit

Similar to Venezuela, Peru have also displayed their never-say-die attitude after a horrible start in this competition.

After suffering a tough loss against the Selecao to start, Peru have tallied four points in the next two games, putting them in a strong position to qualify in Group B. And it may be enough considering Ecuador aren’t favoured in their upcoming game against Brazil.

Against Ecuador in the last time out, Ricardo Gareca’s side rallied from behind after being down, thanks to second half goals from Gianluca Lapadula and Andre Carillo.

Getting Gianluca Lapadula going is crucial to Peru’s hopes in this tournament and he’ll be backstopped by the trio of Sergio Pena, Christian Cueva, and Andre Carillo – who are responsible for three of their four tournament goals so far.

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Copa America 2021

History

Venezuela and Peru have faced off in 17 international games prior to this upcoming fixture.

In the said sample size, the head-to-heads have been pretty even since Peru have won seven while Venezuela won in six along with four draws.

This will mark the first time that these two countries meet in over two years. In their three games prior, both of them have shared the spoils.

Their last meeting in the Copa America group stage ended in a 0-0 stalemate as Peru weren’t able to take advantage when Venezuela were reduced to 10 men after a red card to centre-back Luis Mago in the 75^th minute.

Betting Tip

	Venezuela vs Peru	1X2 Draw @ 2.98
	June 28, 05:00 (GMT+8)

SBOTOP football fans can expect this to be a hard-fought affair since both countries aren’t far off from each other in the latest Copa America 2021 odds.

Peru hold the slight edge since they’re at 2.37 to win, while Venezuela are pegged at 3.10 and chances for a draw are at 2.98.

The Peruvians may boast a stronger and a more complete squad given the circumstances around Venezuela, but La Vinotinto won’t go down easily without a fight.

These two nations have shown major resilience in this campaign and I could see them both sharing the spoils anew in a bid to get over the line and finish into the top eight.