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Carrie Stroup here with your Copa América betting odds for Argentina v Colombia Line: Argentina -120, Colombia +350, Tie +240, Total: 2.5
Quarterfinals
Kick-off: Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Argentina -120, Colombia +350, Tie +240, Total: 2.5
Tournament favorites Argentina take on Colombia in an intriguing quarterfinal matchup on Friday.
Argentina finished atop Group C with seven points, but despite its unbeaten record thus far at the Copa América, the 2014 World Cup finalists have been far from convincing. After scoring two first half goals against Paraguay in the opener, a game that went on to finish in a tie, Argentina has not displayed its full quality, and barely defeated Uruguay and Jamaica in its two subsequent fixtures. Lionel Messi has yet to score from open play, but his partner up front in Sergio Agüero, who scored in each of Argentina’s first two games, is expected to be available after missing out on the final game of the group stage due to a shoulder injury. Javier Mascherano will once again be called upon to anchor the midfield and take charge in front of a solid defense to keep a talented and dangerous Colombia attack at bay.
Colombia has not yet displayed its offensive talent, and was limited to just one goal in the group stage, which was actually scored by center back Jeison Murillo. Radamel Falcao, Carlos Bacco, Teófilo Gutiérrez, and James Rodríguez, all capable scorers, have yet to leave their mark on the tournament, and one imagines that this will need to change in order for Colombia to have a shot against Argentina.
Despite the offensive firepower that will be available on the pitch, goals have been hard to come by in this tournament. In fact, Argentina’s first three games averaged just two goals per game, a number inflated by its 2-2 draw against Paraguay, and Colombia’s first three games have only seen a total of two goals scored. For this reason, under 2.5 goals scored is the logical choice.
While neither side has been at its best, it’s difficult to pick against a team that features Messi, and Argentina could quite possibly prevail in this game by a score of 2-0.
