Copa America 2021 Quarter-Final Predictions > Jul 2nd - 4th

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I'm going to play the trends here - since 1995 there have been 40 QF ties in the Copa America with 15 (37.5%) of those finishing in draws. 

Bet

All 4 QF ties to be draws - 0.25pt Yankee (Total Outlay 2.75pts)

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Below is a snapshot of how the 8 Quarter Finalists have performed in competitive matches starting from the World Cup in 2018 and then the last 2 seasons.

[StevieDay1983]

Peru vs Paraguay

The Copa America 2021 Quarter-Finals kick-off at 10pm BST on Friday night with Group B runners up Peru taking on Group A 3rd place finishers Paraguay at the Estadio Olimpico Pedro Ludovico in Goiania. Both teams did what was required in the group stage to progress but it will undoubtedly be the Peruvians who will feel momentum is with them coming into this game.

Peru came into this tournament in awful form and I actually had concerns they might be at risk of failing to qualify from the group stage. Ricardo Gareca's men appeared to be fulfilling that fear when they were steam rollered by hosts Brazil 4-0 in their opening game. However, a 2-1 win over Colombia was followed by a 1-1 draw with Ecuador, and then a 1-0 victory against Venezuela to see Los Incas finish in 2nd place. It's now 3 wins in the last 5 matches for Peru and a campaign that was causing anxiety amongst many Peruvians is now offering hope and optimism with the chance to reach the Semi-Finals for the second successive tournament.

Paraguay are a team that have flown under the radar. Eduardo Berizzo's side had qualified with relative ease but haven't exactly lit up the tournament yet. Two wins against Bolivia and Chile were arguably anticipated and the two defeats against Argentina and Uruguay were hardly surprising. Los Guaranies will be aiming to reach the Semi-Finals for the first time since 2011. Their playing philosophy means that even when they are beaten they are not beaten easily. Both losses to Argentina and Uruguay came by a single goal. In fact, both teams scoring hasn't happened in 5 of the last 6 Paraguay games. So don't expect to be thrilled to the core by this performance.

This will be a game contested between two very capable sides. Peru will have their tails up after going three games undefeated and I'll be keen to see how this Paraguay team bounces back after that tough 1-0 loss to Uruguay in their last group game. Peru have won 6 and drawn 1 of the last 7 meetings with Paraguay so it appears they have their opponent's number in this fixture. I wouldn't be surprised to see Peru progress here. You feel their confidence and performances are building. Paraguay still feel a little stop start.

Peru to Win @ 3.15 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Under 1.5 @ 2.38 with Boylesports

[StevieDay1983]

Brazil vs Chile

The second game from the Copa America 2021 Quarter-Finals is coming up at 1am BST on Saturday morning as host nation Brazil look to continue their dominant start to this tournament in a clash with an under-performing Chile side at the Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro. Is this only heading one way or could we see an epic shock in this knockout game?

Brazil have looked nothing short of deserving of their tag as tournament favourites. Home advantage is clearly shining through but Tite has also got his side playing some great attacking football. 10 goals scored in their 4 group games saw them soar to the top of Group B. The fact they have been scored by 9 different players is also a frightening display of how many goal threats they possess across the pitch and throughout their squad. It's now 7 wins from their last 10 Copa America matches and they have also kept 7 clean sheets during those 10 games.

Chile might well not have the same quality in their squad that romped to the 2015 and 2016 Copa America titles but they have shown glimpses of a side that could cause this Brazilian team some problems. Head coach Martin Lasarte saw his team amble their way through Group A in 4th place after 1 win, 2 draws, and 1 loss. A harsh finishing position given they only lost one game. Still, you can't argue against their results against the big teams. They pulled off two draws against Argentina and Uruguay. The Bolivia win was underwhelming and the defeat to Paraguay was disappointing. So it's hard to tell which Chile side will show up here.

The head-to-head record in the Copa America doesn't make for great reading for Chile. Brazil have won 16 of the last 21 meetings with 2 draws and just 3 wins for Chile. It's going to take something fairly spectacular for Chile to turn that 2-0 loss against Paraguay into a performance that can knock out this Brazil team that have looked irresistible as the host nation. Stranger things have happened but I just can't see it.

Brazil to Win to Nil @ 1.85 with Betway

Brazil HT/FT @ 2.10 with SportNation

[StevieDay1983]

Uruguay vs Colombia

The Copa America 2021 Quarter-Finals continue on Saturday night with the 11pm BST kick-off between two of the tournament big guns in Uruguay and Colombia at the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia. One of the pre-tournament favourites will be exiting the competition at a premature stage but who will it be in one of the most tightly contested matches in the last 8.

Uruguay will be wondering how on earth they've drawn such a tricky game in this stage of the competition after finishing 2nd in their group. Oscar Tabarez knows his team have a great opportunity here though to see off one of their big rivals. La Celeste have really tightened up at the back with two clean sheets in a row to help them progress from Group A. Scoring goals is still a problem with them scoring more than 1 goal in just 1 of their last 7 games. Edinson Cavani has bagged a couple at this tournament but one was from the penalty spot and Luis Suarez isn't exactly in the clinical form of his life.

Colombia know they are paying for an inconsistent group stage performance with this tie against Uruguay. Head coach Reinaldo Rueda saw his team start relatively positively with the 1-0 win over Ecuador and then the 0-0 draw with Venezuela. Not 6 points but undefeated and no goals conceded. However, the 2-1 defeats to Peru and Brazil saw their group stage end on a negative and the challenge now is for the team to pick themselves up. It's now just 1 win from their last 5 matches and no victory in their previous 3 games. Scoring goals at this tournament has also been an issue with Los Cafeteros who only managed 3 goals in their 4 group stage games.

I'm not anticipating the most exciting of games with neither team in free-scoring form at this tournament. I think it will simply be a case of which defence holds stronger for longer. Based on Uruguay's solid defence for a prolonged period of time now you have to feel that they have it within themselves to remain resilient against this impotent Colombian front line and I can see a clean sheet win for Uruguay here.

Uruguay to Win @ 2.36 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Under 1.5 @ 2.59 with Matchbook

[StevieDay1983]

Argentina vs Ecuador

The final Quarter-Final game at Copa America 2021 is between one of the tournament favourites Argentina and outsiders Ecuador in a 2am BST kick-off on Sunday morning at the Estadio Olimpico Pedro Ludovico in Goiania. It seems hard to choose anything other than a solid win for the Argentine side here but stranger things have happened than a win for the underdogs in this one.

Argentina have been nothing short of efficient in their tournament so far. Lionel Scaloni's men finished top of Group A with 10 points. A 1-1 draw with Chile in their opening game ensured they got off the mark and that result was followed up by three wins over Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia with just 1 goal conceded in those matches. The 4-1 win over Bolivia was a particular stand out because it showed what La Albiceleste can do when the shackles are off. It's now 17 matches undefeated for Argentina and you can see why many are tipping them to go all the way.

Ecuador might have gained global popularity through a smash hit Europop song by German DJ Sash! but they have created a name for themselves in their own right for being awkward opposition for even the best of teams down the years. Head coach Gustavo Alfaro saw his men finish 4th in Group B but just 1 loss from their 4 group games typified how hard to beat this side has become. The fact they held the impressive tournament hosts Brazil to a 1-1 draw in that final group game should act as a warning for this Argentina side. La Tri might be proving difficult to beat but winning also now appears to be something they are finding hard to achieve with no win in their last 6 matches.

I think this could be one of those games that will take a heavy toll on Argentina. Ecuador are awkward customers at the best of times and they'll ensure Argentina have to leave everything on the field to progress. I do think Argentina have enough in the tank to get the win in 90 minutes but it would equally be unsurprising if Ecuador did push them to extra-time and penalties.

Argentina to Win to Nil @ 2.38 with SpreadEx

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.72 with SBK