Peru vs Colombia Betting Tips & Predictions

It looked like a very difficult task for Peru when they started the Copa America in a group alongside South American giants Brazil and an in form Ecuador, and not many people gave them any hope of making it past the group stages. However, they replied to those critics fantastically by topping their group ahead of both of the favourites.

Their last match was against Brazil, with both teams going into the match on four points but Peru lagging behind on goal difference. Ecuador sat below them on two points but were expected to beat Haiti comfortably. It was do or die for Peru, and they showed a tremendous amount of spirit in the match. Yes, they were dominated in possession, and yes Brazil did have the majority of attacking play, but Peru held out and in the 75th minute got their reward as a controversial goal from Raul Ruidiaz snuck in to give Peru the winnner.

This win came after a 2-2 draw with Ecuador, which they were unlucky not to win, and a edged win over Haiti to give them seven points and the top spot in their group and shockingly eliminate Brazil from the tournament. This victory made it five matches unbeaten for Peru, four of which have been victories as they continued their impressive run of making it out of the group stages in every Copa America since 1997.

Colombia won their opening two matches rather comfortably, first beat host nation United States 2-0 and then settling the game early and winning against Paraguay 2-1. Both of these matches were won in the first half by Colombia, and the fact that they could afford to rest many of their starting 11 for the final group game should give them a bit of an edge.

The second string line up against Costa Rica didn’t perform too well though, losing 3-2 after conceding an early goal against the then bottom placed side in the group. However, this can’t be seen as indicative of how they will perform against Peru as the likes of James Rodriguez and Carlos Bacca will be back in the fray.

Peru may be seen as a defensive team, but their 2-2 draw with Ecuador showed that they know how to attack as well. I think they’ll have to focus on trying to score against Colombia as I can’t see them holding off the world class attack of Colombia.

Five of Peru’s last eight games have resulted in at least three goals being scored as well, as have five of Colombia last six outings, and considering both teams need to go for it odds of 13/10 for Over 2.5 Goals look very good value, especially if Colombia score as early as they have so far in the competition. I think it will be Colombia who get the win though, so I’m backing a 3-1 correct score prediction at huge odds of 14/1.