Uruguay v Colombia betting tips: Uruguay defence hard to break down
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Preview and odds for the Copa America quarter-final
These two teams have had contrasting Copa America campaigns as we look at Uruguay v Colombia betting tips for Saturday night’s quarter-final.
Uruguay made a slow start but have steadily improved during the group stage while Colombia’s form is heading in the wrong direction ahead of their meeting at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia.
Saturday’s match is live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and kicks off at 10pm UK time.
Uruguay v Colombia match odds
Uruguay began the tournament as one of the biggest threats to favourites Brazil in terms of outright Copa America betting tips but a 1-0 defeat to Argentina was not the start they were looking for.
They also went behind in the first half against Chile but they have not conceded since then and a Luis Suarez equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw.
Back-to-back victories over Bolivia (2-0) and Paraguay (1-0) saw them finish as runners-up in Group A and they are 4/6 favourites to go through to the semi-finals, with a third straight win in 90 minutes priced at 7/5.
In contrast to Uruguay, Colombia began with two clean sheets which helped them beat Ecuador 1-0 and draw with Venezuela.
A 2-1 defeat against Peru highlighted their limitations, though, while a 2-1 loss to Brazil was perhaps more forgivable especially after conceding in the 10th minute of stoppage time.
Colombia are 12/5 to get back to winning ways as the knockout stage begins while the match is 2/1 to go to extra-time.
Uruguay v Colombia head-to-head
Uruguay’s status as favourites is backed up by their last meeting which was a World Cup qualifier in November.
Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani put Uruguay ahead after only five minutes before Suarez converted an early second-half penalty.
Darwin Nunez wrapped up a 3-0 win for Uruguay and Colombia’s misery was complete when they had Yerry Mina sent off as they suffered their heaviest home defeat in 82 years.
There have been at least two goals in each of the last seven meetings while over 2.5 goals has paid out in 10 of the last 13 so looks an option for Uruguay v Colombia betting tips at 8/5.
Previous XI
Colombia: Ospina, Tesillo, Mina, Munoz, Sanchez, Barrios, Cuadrado, Uribe, Zapata, Diaz, Borre.
Key battles
Uruguay’s well-organised defence is marshalled by the experienced Diego Godin and will be confident of keeping Colombia at bay, having conceded just two goals in six matches in 2021.
Colombia strikers Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata are yet to get off the mark at the Copa America and they look short of the firepower needed here.
Uruguay have obvious match-winners in their squad and Cavani can be backed at 4/1 to score more goals than Colombia while Suarez is 9/5 to add to his tally and 7/2 to open the scoring.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
