Peru tasked with upending Columbia
Colombia kept 10 of its regulars out of the starting lineup in Monday’s group-play finale and absorbed a 3-2 defeat to Costa Rica. Funny how things work out in Copa America competition, though.
That loss actually moved Colombia into a more preferable bracket spot – away from Argentina – and set up a quarterfinal clash with Peru tonight. The action in New Jersey gets underway at 8 p.m. ET, with Colombia receiving the benefit of the doubt from oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv. Peru, on the other hand, enters as a +425 underdog. The over/under goal total sits at two.
As the third-ranked club in the world, Colombia seems more than prepared to shake off the malaise that permeated the Costa Rica game. Captain James Rodriguez boasts tallies in each of the two contests he has started, while main keeper David Ospina has permitted just one score. This crew should be highly motivated to come out flying, too, having endured a 12-year last-four drought.
Peru, of course, is very fortunate to even have a crack at its third straight appearance in the Centenario semis. The nation eliminated Brazil on a highly controversial handball goal, and preceding performances vs. Haiti and Ecuador failed to inspire much confidence. If Rodriguez gets humming early, this one could represent a rout. Take Colombia by a comfortable margin.
FRIDAY COPA AMERICA FREE PICK: COLOMBIA -1
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