Copa America: Venezuela’s Target is in Sight

Bolivia vs Venezuela

The knockout stages of the Copa America are just around the corner and in Group A, the top two places are still up for grabs.

Bolivia and Venezuela meet in their final group game but will arrive in rather different moods, with the Vinotinto still in with a good chance of qualification and Bolivia trying to avoid a return of three defeats. Venezuela are no mugs, at 33^rd in the FIFA World rankings, ahead of Serbia and Iceland, and some 29 places above Bolivia. And they have taken two well-earned points from their two games, both against the odds.

It’s been a tough start for Bolivia, facing favourites Brazil and then a very experienced Peru side, but a return of no points means they are as good as out of the competition as an unwelcome winless streak continues.

Talking Points

Bolivia running out of steam

Eduardo Villegas’s side came into the competition on a poor run of form, but with high hopes that they could turn a corner. But they haven’t!

Following that opening day defeat to Brazil, Bolivia capitulated again in the second half when they lost 1-3 to Peru on Tuesday night. Villegas defended his players after the Brazil game, but conceding three in both games, five goals in the second halves doesn’t say a lot for his team’s staying power.

The Bolivia vs Venezuela betting odds point to a win for the Vinotinto and it’s hard to argue with that given the form Bolivia is in. The only bright spot has been the goal that Marcelo Martins scored to put his team ahead against Per, but the fun didn’t last as Peru hit back strongly. Martin’s penalty was his 18^th goal for his country and he is only two away from being Bolivia’s top scorer of all time.

Can Marcelo Martins help Bolivia get their first win in Copa America 2019? — Marcelo Martins celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal from the penalty spot against Peru

Realistically I think Martins is the only Bolivian player with a target, though a big win could give them a chance to qualify as one of the best third places.

That will require a spectacular turnaround.

Venezuela loves VAR!

Rafael Dudamel’s team put up another fighting display to earn a 0-0 draw with Brazil on Wednesday, frustrating the tournament favourites with a brave defensive display. That result was the biggest Copa America 2019 news so far but Venezuela needed plenty of help from VAR as the Selecao had three goals chalked off by the techno referee.

Tite’s Brazil was booed off at the end of the game, as they were at half time against Bolivia, but that was more about disappointment in the result than criticism of the players. Premier League stars Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino both had goals cancelled by VAR, but the hosts thought they’d won it late on when Philippe Coutinho converted from close range, but as the Brazil fans celebrated wildly VAR got to work again and spotted a handball by Firmino in the build-up to the goal.

Credit must also go to Venezuela’s keeper Wuilker Farinez who kept the Selecao at bay as they had 20 attempts on goal.

They have defended valiantly in two games, but the big question is, after two 0-0 draws, can the Vinotinto penetrate a defence to win a game. Well, they beat USA 3-0 in a friendly just before the competition began so they have goals in them. Salamon Rondon is Venezuela’s best striker; he has 24 goals from 75 appearances and will fancy his chances against Bolivia’s beleaguered defence.

opacity 0

CLICK HERE
TO SEE UPDATED ODDS

2019 Copa America

History

Venezuela has had the better of the head to heads, winning six of the 14 meetings since 2003 with Bolivia picking up four wins and there have been four draws.

The last meeting, back in 2016, resulted in a thumping 5-0 win for the Vinotinto and while I wouldn’t anticipate a repeat of that scoreline, I really can’t see Bolivia ending their 2019 winless streak, which has reached nine, and they have lost their last five on the bounce.

Neither team has won the Copa America. Bolivia’s best performance was in 1997 when they finished as runners up, while Venezuela reached the semi-final back in 2011. A repeat of that is an ambitious target for the Vinotinto, but it’s still on, whereas I think Bolivia needs to go home and regroup.

Betting Tip

	Bolivia vs Venezuela	Under 2.50 @1.93
	June 23, 03:00 (GMT+8)

Venezuela is a hot favourite at odds of 1.50 with Bolivia out at 6.00 and the draw at 4.10. Asian Handicap SBOBET is the way to play here and I think a bet on unders makes a lot of sense.

Venezuela aren’t big scorers and Bolivia look defeated already. The most likely scoreline is 1-0 at 5.40, with 2-0 at 6.20, and either will suit the Vinotinto nicely.