Prediction: Uruguay vs Colombia

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

With a spot in the final of this summer’s Copa America hanging in the balance, Uruguay and Colombia will meet at the Bank of America Stadium in the early hours of Thursday.

Uruguay

Starting with Uruguay, booking their spot in Thursday’s semi-final after securing a famous penalties victory against South American giants Brazil, Uruguay have continued on a remarkable rise under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa. Getting their Copa America adventure underway with a 3-1 victory against Panama on June 24th, the former Leeds boss saw his high-flying squad win all of their three Group C appearances by an aggregate score of 9-1. Signing off their pre-tournament preparations with a stellar 4-0 romp against Brazil, Uruguay have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 12 matchups across all competitions. Making an almighty statement during November’s international break as they secured a 2-0 win against reigning world champions Argentina, it should also be noted that Bielsa’s men have conceded just a single goal from any of their last six appearances.

Team News

Limping off against Brazil last weekend and suspected to be on the sidelines for the next couple of months with a muscle injury, Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo will not feature here. Likewise, shown a straight red card at the Allegiant Stadium, Uruguay will be unable to call upon form Boca Juniors star Nahitan Nandez as the 28-year-old serves a ban.

Opening his Copa America adventure with back-to-back strikes against Panama and Bolivia last month, Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez will spearhead Bielsa’s attack in the early hours of Thursday. Real Madrid ace Federico Valverde will start at the heart of Uruguay’s midfield and earn a 61st international cap.

Colombia

As for Colombia, while Colombia might have failed to book a World Cup ticket to Qatar 18 months ago, La Tricolor have come roaring back in a sensational fashion. Making a major statement in Glendale as they stormed their way to a routine 5-0 romp against Panama, Nestor Lorenzo’s men find the mood in their camp at a famous high. Riding what has been a remarkable wave of momentum, the former Argentina coach has not seen his squad suffer a single defeat from any of their previous 27 appearances across all competitions. With that iconic run stemming all the way back to February 2022, Colombia have also collected some major scalps. Collecting a 1-0 win away at European giants Spain during March’s international break, Lorenzo’s side have continued to receive a string of plaudits from across the globe.

Team News

In what looks set to be a real boost for Colombia in the early hours of Thursday, Jefferson Lerma is free to make a full return after the Crystal Palace midfielder served a one-match ban against Panama last weekend. However, still dealing with a recent knock, Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi remains on the sidelines and will not feature at the Bank of America Stadium.

Opening his Copa America account in Glendale last week and continuing to shine this summer, former Real Madrid superstar James Rodriguez will lead out Colombia and earn a 105th international cap here. Also getting on the scoresheet against Panama on Saturday night, Liverpool’s Luis Diaz will play a leading role.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Uruguay and Colombia last met in World Cup qualifying action back on October 12th, Thursday’s semi-finalists played out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate.
• Colombia are unbeaten in all of their previous 27 consecutive appearances across all competitions.
• Uruguay have conceded just a single goal in any of their last six matchups across all competitions.
• La Tricolor have conceded just a single Copa America strike in almost 300 minutes of action.
• Uruguay won all of their three Group C appearances last month by an aggregate score of 9-1.

Conclusion

While Uruguay and Colombia might have played out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate when they last met back on October 12th, we could be set for a far more nervy affair in the early hours of Thursday. With Bielsa’s camp conceding just a single strike in any of their previous six appearances across all competitions, La Tricolor have also impressed with their rugged defensive performances so far this summer. Shipping just a sole Copa America goal in almost 300 minutes of action, we could have a real chess match on our hands at the Bank of America Stadium.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster