Hi everyone. Here are my first tips for the Copa America, featuring some of the biggest games in football. There’s not long to go until AFCON either, so I’m looking at some of the warm-up friendlies too. Click here to bet.
Brazil 2 v 0 Bolivia – Friday 14 June – Copa America – Brazil Win and BTTS No (1.22)
This is the first game of the Copa America and it’s a huge game for Brazil. They are hosting the tournament and will want to banish the memories of the 2014 World Cup. They’ll be without Neymar for the tournament, but they’ve won nine of their ten matches in the last ten months. Bolivia haven’t made it past the group stage in seven of the last ten competitions and have lost their last three games without scoring. I think it’ll be an easy start for Brazil.
Kenya 1 v 1 DR Congo – Saturday 15 June – Friendly – Under 2.5 Goals
Kenya have won three and drawn one of their last five games. They’ve only scored five times in that run though, with just one goal against. DR Congo have drawn three of their past five games. There have been Under 2.5 Goals in seven of their last ten games, including the last four. I don’t see many goals this time and I think a Draw is a good bet.
Argentina 1 v 1 Colombia – Saturday 15 June – Copa America – Under 2.5 Goals (1.55)
This should be a very interesting game. Both teams have won four of their last five games and another victory in this game would be a great way to start the tournament. History favours Argentina, who have only lost one of their last 15 games against the Colombians and haven’t even conceded in the last six. However, Los Cafeteros tend to perform well at tournaments, so I’m going for a Draw.
Senegal 0 v 0 Nigeria – Sunday 16 June – Friendly – Under 2.5 Goals
These teams are real contenders to win AFCON, so I don’t expect them to take any risks in this friendly. Senegal have won seven of their last ten games, including each of the last five. The Super Eagles have won six of their past ten matches, only losing once. The key stat for me is that both sides have had Under 2.5 Goals in eight of their last ten friendlies. I think they’ll just want to avoid defeat here, so a low-scoring Draw makes sense.
Uruguay 1 v 0 Ecuador – Sunday June 16 – Copa America – Uruguay Win (1.70)
Ecuador have lost ten of their last 15 games at the Copa America, so it doesn’t look good for them here. They’ve not won any of their last four games in the build-up, while Uruguay have three wins in a row. Uruguay also won four of their five games at last year’s World Cup, and I think they’re better equipped to do well at major tournaments. I’m backing them to win here.