The Uruguay men’s national team’s 2016 Copa America campaign didn’t get off to an ideal start. The Uruguayans lost to Mexico and currently find themselves bottom of Group C. With the pressure mounting, can the Celeste finally pick up their first points of the tournament against the Vinotinto?
Read on below for our preview of Uruguay’s crucial second group game. Meanwhile, check out our preview of the other Group C game, Mexico vs. Jamaica.
Cash In on the Best Online Sportsbook Offers Now at TopBet!
Uruguay stumbled in its opening group game, losing 3-1 to powerhouse Mexico. They simply had no answer for El Tri’s 3-4-3 formation as Mexico time and again picked apart their fragile defense. That being said, all hope of qualifying is not yet lost for Uruguay, which only trails the two leading teams in Group C by just three points. A victory against Venezuela later tonight would go a long way in preserving their qualification hopes in this competition.
For Uruguay to grab all three points tonight, it’s paramount that they control possession this time around. They only had 39.3 percent of the ball against Mexico in the group opener. As a result, they were outshot by the Mexicans in attempts (19-10) and in the shots on target department (7-3).
The onus then is on Edinson Cavani to provide the much-needed spark for the Uruguayan attack. Cavani had several quality runs on goal in the match against Mexico but was unlucky not to find the back of the net. The PSG striker will need to step it up a notch with Barcelona star Luis Suarez still a major doubt for tonight’s match. Cavani has scored 32 goals in 81 international appearances for Uruguay.
The Celeste are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Venezuela. They are pegged at -230to score first in this match.
Venezuela’s Copa America campaign is off to a great start after shocking Jamaica, 1-0, at Soldier Field on Sunday. Josef Martinez’s first-half strike was enough for the Venezuelans to take all three points as they climbed to the top of the Group C standings. It was a remarkable performance by Venezuela which came into the game having won just one of their previous 15 outings.
They will look to tighten their grip on the top spot when they face Uruguay later tonight. For Venezuela to record another upset in Group C, it’s paramount that they control the ball again against Uruguay. They had 62.5 percent of the possession against Jamaica in the group opener. As a result, they outshot Jamaica by a 14-10 margin in that match.
That being said, Uruguay will be a much tougher proposition for Venezuela. The minnows will still fancy their chances of stopping such a great offensive team thanks to the excellent form of goalkeeper Dani Hernandez. The 30-year-old Tenerife keeper was a solid presence in the back for Venezuela, recording three crucial saves in his tournament debut against Jamaica.
The Venezuelans are 1-3-1 in their last five games. They are pegged at +245to score first against Uruguay.
