Colombia blew the doors off Group C with a prolific attack that has not missed star striker Falcao one bit. James Rodriguez has stepped into the spotlight in this tournament to lead his country to the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 1990.
Los Cafeteros will meet Uruguay, who recovered from a shock defeat to Costa Rica to escape Group D ahead of Italy and England. However, they may have more recovering to do after their talisman Luis Suarez bit off more than he could chew against Italy.
Colombia vs. Uruguay isn’t the only all-South American showdown in the Round of 16. Hosts Brazil will also take on the dangerous Chile for a place in the quarterfinal. Check out our comprehensive preview of that match here, and read on for more on this spicy South American shootout.
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Uruguay vs. Colombia, World Cup 2014, Round of 16 Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
For those keeping score, that’s now two wins in the two World Cup games for Uruguay since star striker Luis Suarez’s return from a knee injury. Although Suarez was less effective against Italy than he was when he almost singlehandedly sunk England with two goals, a red card to Claudio Marchisio and a Diego Godin goal were enough to see Uruguay through.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]However, Suarez’s participation in their Round of 16 match with Colombia is suddenly uncertain not because of his health, but because of his teeth.
Suarez, who has an unsavory history of biting his opponents, bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini, which would’ve been a red card offense but was not seen by the referee. There’s now a very real possibility FIFA retroactively punishes Suarez with a suspension for their upcoming game.
Losing Suarez again would obviously be a huge blow for Uruguay, in part because Diego Forlan hardly looked like the man who was crowned the best player in the 2010 World Cup in his only start against Costa Rica. If Suarez does get suspended, the team’s hopes will fall on the broad shoulders of Edinson Cavani, who, apart from his penalty goal against Costa Rica, has not shined as bright in the tournament.
Godin, who was so prolific for Atletico Madrid with six goals this season, should also be a useful goal threat in set pieces against Colombia. However, the central defender will be needed more at the back to keep Colombia’s multiple attacking threats at bay.
With or without Suarez, Uruguay will still take a formidable head-to-head record against Colombia. Uruguay has won six of the last eight meetings against its South American neighbor.
Betting on Colombia
Colombia have more than lived up to their billing as one of the dark horses of the tournament after thoroughly dominating Group C. Los Cafeteros joined the Netherlands as teams with perfect records in the group stage. They also scored nine goals and matched the Dutch with a +7 goal difference.
As expected, coach Jose Pekerman decided to rest some of his stars in their final game against Japan, but it hardly mattered as Colombia still thrashed the Blue Samurai, 4-1. Striker Jackson Martinez made his case for a place in the starting lineup with two goals, while rising star James Rodriguez notched his third goal of the tournament in a second half cameo.
Despite Martinez’s impressive showing, Pekerman will likely return with his first-choice striker, Teofilo Gutierrez, against Uruguay. Gutierrez scored two goals in Colombia’s 4-0 win over Uruguay in World Cup qualifying back in 2012. Gutierrez also serves as a better foil for the team’s midfield weapons such as Rodriguez and winger Juan Cuadrado, who also got on the scoresheet against Japan.
Defending remains Colombia’s biggest weakness, but their backline will have a somewhat easier time keeping Uruguay out if the dangerous Luis Suarez is suspended as expected. Even if Colombia does let a goal slip by, they’re liable to score a couple more themselves given the way their forwards are performing.
Writer’s Prediction
Colombia’s very impressive attack blows by Uruguay, who are unable to respond without Suarez. Take Colombia at +113 to move on the quarterfinal. Create a betting account today to enjoy the action of the latter stages of the World Cup.
