Copa America: Colombia v Venezuela and Brazil v Peru

After a sublime start, the Copa America group stages continue, so Coral writers run the rule over Pool C’s opening fixtures as Colombia tackle Venezuela and Brazil square-up against Paraguay.

Colombia v Venezuela

The Coffee Growers certainly put on a show at the World Cup and are odds-on with Coral at 1/3 to emerge triumphant from their tussle with group minnows Venezuela (8/1).

Having lost just one of their last eight games, Colombia’s crafty and potent attack should be too strong for the Burgundy, who will be relying on Zenit St Petersburg striker Salomon Rondon (11/4 in the anytime market) and Torino youngster Josef Martinez (10/3) to snatch a strike.

Colombia, though, will need their attacking stars to be in sync if they are to break down the Burgundy, and all eyes will be on Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez.

The 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner is featured in a majestic match special (maximum stake £20) at a nifty 9/4 to score and Colombia to win, while coach Jose Pekerman has his pick of poachers to partner the Los Blancos star.

Monaco-owned marksman Radamel Falcao (7/2 to draw first blood) looks to be back in form and could get the nod having notched four in his last three outings for the Coffee Growers, while the prolific pair of Sevilla sharpshooter Carlos Bacca and Porto predator Jackson Martinez are both evens to net anytime.

Brazil v Peru

Th Samba Boys superstars take to the field for the first time in Chile with much expectation, having triumphed in 10 friendlies on the trot since their World Cup shambles on home soil.

Here is the chance for a fresh start then, as Brazil (odds-on at 3/10 for victory) battle Peru (9/1), who have won just three of 39 duels against the five-time World Cup winners.

The Incas have, however, proven somewhat of a thorn in recent clashes, squeezing out two draws from their past four encounters with Brazil, and are 9/2 to split the spoils once more.

Revived under Dunga, the swashbuckling Samba stars have struck 17 in their last seven clashes and will welcome back talisman Neymar, who began on the bench last time out. Fully rested from his treble-winning exploits, the brilliant Barcelona foward is available in a superb match special with Coral at 9/4 to net two or more goals (maximum stake £20).

Meanwhile, reported Manchester United target Roberto Firmino broke the deadlock against Honduras last time out, and is terrific value at 10/3 to fire home first again, having hit three in six caps. Also available to back from Brazil’s array of attacking options is Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho (5/1 to notch last).

Peru are not short of firepower themselves and, despite a mixed recent record of one victory in four, can offer Bayern Munich marksman Claudio Pizarro (10/1 to grab the opener), Schalke sharpshooter Jefferson Farfan (4/1 to score anytime) and Flamengo forward Paolo Guerrero (5/1) to pose the Samba Boys problems.

Betting tip: Neymar @ 9/4 to score two or more