Brazil v Peru betting tips: Peru face uphill task
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Preview and odds for the Copa America semi-final
The Copa America is nearing a climax and we have picked out some Brazil v Peru betting tips ahead of the first semi-final at the Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janiero on Monday night.
It is a repeat of the Copa 2019 final, which Brazil won 3-1 in front of nearly 70,000 fans, although Monday’s clash will be played behind closed doors because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Monday night’s match is live on BBC iPlayer and kicks off at midnight.
Brazil v Peru match odds
Brazil are firm favourites to progress to Saturday’s final at the historic Maracana Stadium against Argentina or Colombia, who play on Tuesday.
The Selecao have already beaten Peru 4-0 two weeks ago in the group stage and progressed to the last-four phase when surviving Gabriel Jesus’ red card early in the second half to defeat Chile 1-0 in a thrilling tie on Friday.
Brazil topped their group and are unbeaten in 12 games, but looked laboured in defeating a Chile side who had finished fourth in their group and went into the clash having drawn four of their previous six matches.
The game was settled moments after the interval when substitute Lucas Paqueta fired home after a one-two with Neymar. The game was in the balance after Jesus was shown a straight red for a horrific kung-fu kick that floored Eugenio Mena and while Brazil held on, the Manchester City striker will miss the semi-final.
Peru recovered from a 4-0 defeat against the hosts by beating Colombia and Venezuela, and securing a draw with Ecuador.
Their quarter-final with Paraguay in Gioinia was a thrilling and tempestuous affair, with 32 fouls, six yellow cards and the dismissals of Paraguay captain Gustavo Gomez and Peru’s top scorer Andre Carrillo.
The two sides drew 3-3 after 90 minutes with Peru going through 4-3 on penalties with Miguel Trauco securing their place in the semis with the deciding spot-kick.
Peru, who have beaten Brazil twice in 12 Copa America clashes, are the underdogs at 14/1 to win in 90 minutes, and are 17/5 to score the first goal.
Brazil have conceded in three of their last four meetings with Peru and though Carrillo will miss this clash through suspension, both teams to sore can be added to Brazil v Peru betting tips at 11/8, while over 2.5 goals is on offer at 8/13.
Brazil v Peru head-to-head
The teams have faced each other 46 times across all competitions, with Brazil recording 33 wins.
Peru have beaten the Selecao on just five occasions, but two of those victories have come in 12 Copa America clashes.
Eight of their meetings have resulted in draws, the last coming in World Cup qualifying in November 2007, a clash that ended goalless.
It is 11/2 that this match ends in a draw after 90 minutes and 14/1 that the game is goalless after 90 minutes.
Brazil: Ederson, Lodi dos Santos, Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo, Fred, Casemiro, Richarlison, Firmino, Jesus, Neymar.
Peru: Gallese, Trauco, Santamaria, Ramos, Corzo, Tapia, Cueva, Yotun, Pena, Carrillo, Lapadula.
Team news
Both teams have suspensions to contend with after Brazil’s Jesus and Peru’s Carrillo were both sent off in their quarter-final clashes.
Paqueta or Everton Ribeiro, who was one of the top scorers at Copa America 2019, will deputise for Jesus, while Peru’s veteran Christian Cueva is set to replace Carrillo.
Brazil will also miss Atletico Madrid defender Filipe for the remainder of the tournament, after he suffered a knee injury last week.
Key battles
Peru’s defence is better than advertised, and while Neymar finished the quarter-final exhausted, Gabriel Barbosa, Richarlison and Roberto Firmino may all fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet.
Barbosa has had a relatively quiet tournament thus far, but is 23/20 to score at any time, having netted just once in four outings.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
