Peru vs Canada prediction: SOUTH AMERICA: Copa América betting tips on match 2024-06-25 22:00.
[p]After opening up their Copa América campaign with an uninspiring goalless draw against Pacific rivals Chile, Peru have work to do to qualify for the knockout stages. The Bicolours, who have reached the semi-finals in each of the last two editions, find themselves in must-win territory on matchday two against Canada, given that reigning champions Argentina await them in their final group outing.[/p]
[p]Despite this, boss Ricardo Gareca insists he is “not concerned” with what he saw from his side in their opening game. If nothing else, perhaps that’s because Peru kept a third consecutive clean sheet and extended their unbeaten run to six matches (W3, D3), even if they’ve now alarmingly failed to win any of their last three matches at the finals (D1, L2).[/p]
[p]That defensive record in particular could worry Jesse Marsch’s Canada side, who have fired blanks in their three matches (D1, L2) since beating Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in a friendly in March. That run includes their opening group game at these finals, a 2-0 defeat to Argentina – a match which left the manager furious after their opponents delayed the start of the second half – and subsequently scored just four minutes after the restart.[/p]
[p]As a result, Canada will at the very least need to avoid defeat if they’re to keep any hopes of progression alive on their Copa América debut. Recent history suggests they are primed to bounce back though, as Canada have not lost successive competitive matches since their miserable group stage elimination at the FIFA World Cup in 2022.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Peru’s goal hopes may rely on the 40-year-old veteran Paolo Guerrero – the oldest outfield player in competition history – who has only lost one previous game in which he has scored (W8, D1) at the Copa América. Canada may hand a start to Junior Hoilett in an attempt to freshen up their forward line, and he’s netted first or last in six of his last eight goalscoring appearances at international level. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Only three of Peru’s last 17 international matches have seen both teams score.[/p]