Venezuela vs Canada prediction: SOUTH AMERICA: Copa América – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-07-05 01:00.
[p]Venezuela progressed to the quarter-finals of Copa América after topping Group B with a 100% record, winning three straight matches which was something they had failed to achieve in any of their previous 18 Copa América campaigns. Victory in this game against Canada, a side ranked six places above them, will see the Wine-Red reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2011.[/p]
[p]Back then, they picked up five points and conceded three goals in the group stage, but 13 years on, their defence has been much more resolute, conceding only once and targeting a third consecutive clean sheet here. At the other end, it’s fair to say that Venezuela’s threat has grown as their contests have progressed, with all six of their competition strikes so far coming after half-time. [/p]
[p]Canada also failed to score during the opening 45 minutes of their three group matches and have found the net just once, yet remarkably that was enough to see them advance from Group A in second place. Like their opposition, Canada have not conceded in either of the last two games and with only FIFA’s #1 ranked side Argentina scoring against them across their last four games, their success has been built from the back.[/p]
[p]Jesse Marsch’s team have become the first debutants to reach the knockout stages in over 20 years, something which looked unlikely after a 2-0 defeat to Argentina in their opener. Canada are now just one victory from a last-four spot, although with both of their previous H2Hs against Venezuela ending level, history suggests extra time or even penalties may be needed to decide this clash in Arlington.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Three of Eduard Bello’s four international goals have come in his last five appearances and the Venezuelan winger has got two of them in this tournament. Canada have scored in just two of their six games in 2024 (W2, D2, L2) but winger Jacob Shaffelburg has made a contribution in both (G1, A1).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Venezuela have not kept a clean sheet in any of their four previous Copa América quarter-final appearances (W1, L3).[/p]