Football fans, strap yourselves in – it’s going to be a thrilling ride. There are just four team remaining in the 2019 Copa America and predicting an outright winner at this stage is still incredibly tough.
Brazil, 4/5 favourites in 888's sports betting odds, have home advantage but Tite’s side have failed to inspire confidence for large parts of this summer’s competition.
A mouth-watering clash with arch rivals Argentina awaits in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The game is scheduled to get underway at 1:30am but it could be worth staying up for.
Brazil and Argentina are two of the strongest teams in international football and plenty of punters will be expecting a top-quality affair in Belo Horizonte.
The second semi-final sees Chile, Copa America winners in 2015 and 2016, face Peru. While this contest may not be as glamorous on paper, both countries have their own scintillating brand of football and this could turn out to be some spectacle.
888sport football odds have priced Chile up as early favourites at 9/10 to win inside 90 minutes.
Without further ado, it is time to take a closer look at both Copa America 2019 semi-finals. This is the business end of the competition and it is ‘do or die time’ for all four nations. Let’s hope for an exciting and entertaining double header…
BRAZIL vs ARGENTINA
Touted as favourites to lift the Copa America crown for the first time since 12 years, Brazil have struggled to cope with the weight of expectation so far this summer. Booed off the pitch on several occasions, Tite’s men need a statement victory and they need it quickly.
Beating Argentina would certainly go down well with Brazil supporters across the country and all will be forgiven for their sub-par efforts if they can reach the 2019 Copa America final. 4/5 for Brazil to win inside the scheduled 90 minutes is a decent price.
Gremio star Everton Soares has been one of Brazil’s top performers this summer and he could make the difference here. Priced at 14/5 to score in Wednesday’s Copa America 2019 semi-final, Everton is one of our players to watch for the future.
However, it would be foolish to write Argentina off. The 14-time Copa America champions last lifted South America’s prestigious trophy in 1993 and the entire nation will be hoping for that run to end this year. With Brazil stuttering, you never know…
Lionel Messi has not been at his brilliant best but this could be his time to shine on the Copa America big stage. Leading Argentina to the 2019 Copa America final would be an incredible achievement and Messi is a 13/5 chance to get his name on the scoresheet.
Brazil should prove too strong for Argentina but this is the Copa America and anything can happen. Both teams to score is the value bet at 11/10 and we could see lots of goal-mouth action in this contest. What a way to start the 2019 Copa America semi-finals!
CHILE vs PERU
Chile were tipped to struggle in most pre-tournament Copa America 2019 predictions but it hasn’t panned out that way for Reinaldo Rueda’s side. Winners of the last two Copa America tournaments, Chile are still capable of holding their own on the international stage.
Alexis Sanchez, virtually non-existent for Manchester United in 2018/19, has stepped up to the plate this summer. With two group stage goals and the winning penalty in the Copa America quarter-finals, Sanchez is in good form and 47/20 to score is a decent price.
La Roja continue to defy the odds and 9/10 for Chile to win in 90 minutes offers reasonable value. A 1-0 group stage defeat to Uruguay is the only blemish on their 2019 Copa America record and Chile will be quietly confident of reaching the final for the third time in a row.
Like Argentina, it would be unwise to write Peru off though. Chile haven’t been perfect by any stretch of the imagination and punters may fancy a surprise semi-final result. The 18/5 with 888sport for Peru to advance to the final offers immense value.
A Peru win wouldn’t go down as one of the greatest Copa America shocks but it would raise eyebrows across South America. Peru have failed to score in three of their four games this summer but 10/13 for over 0.5 goals here looks like a good bet.
The heart says Peru but the head says Chile – experience at this level is vital and those two Copa America victories could help Rueda’s men here. Peru will give it a good go though and this one could go the distance if Ricardo Gareca’s side stand resolute in defence.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
