Venezuela v Canada Betting Tips
The Draw
Under 2.5 Goals
Venezuela to Have 5+ Shots on Target
Jonathan David to Have 1+ Shots on Target
Stephen Eustaquio to Commit 2+ Fouls
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Saturday, 2am: Venezuela v Canada
Copa America quarter-final
AT&T Stadium, Texas
Premier Sports
The Draw
Pre-tournament few would have predicted Venezuela would face off against Canada in a Copa America quarter-final after winning all three group games.
Venezuela were very much third-favourites to top Group B behind Mexico and Ecuador, while Canada were in a three-way dogfight with Chile and Peru for second-place behind Argentina in Group A.
Now, one of these unfancied nations will take part in a continental semi-final, with all signs pointing toward a cagey game.
Venezuela may have won all three games at the competition to date, but aside from a comfortable win over an already-eliminated Jamaica side, they have been far from convincing.
They had to come from behind against 10-man Ecuador in their opening group game, while they found themselves on the back foot for much of their 1-0 win over Mexico in the second game of the competition.
They face a Canada side that did not concede a goal against Chile or Peru during the group stages and the added tension of knockout football may see this one go the distance.
Under 2.5 Goals
Canada’s group will not be remembered for its high-octane, goal-filled drama.
Group A saw a grand total of six goals in six games, including two goalless draws and two 1-0 victories.
Canada scored just once in those three games and only managed to do so after Peru were reduced to 10 men, while they only conceded in their opening game against reigning champions Argentina.
Both sides are likely to adopt a pragmatic approach with so much on the line and it wouldn’t be surprising in the slightest if this game ended in a goalless draw.
Venezuela to Have 5+ Shots on Target
Venezuela may not have gone all-out attack in their win over Mexico, but they will likely do more of the attacking on Friday night.
Canada played with a man advantage against Peru and Chile for a full half-hour and hour respectively, yet both sides managed to register more shots on target than Jesse Marsch’s outfit.
In their only game against 11 men, Canada faced a total of nine shots on target.
Granted, that was against Argentina and Venezuela are unlikely to display the same levels of dominance on Friday night, but they have proved themselves more than willing to take on a high number of shots.
Venezuela have averaged 14 shots per game in the Copa America so far and could very easily reach a similar number against Canada, increasing their chances of hitting the target five times.
Jonathan David to Have 1+ Shots on Target
Jonathan David’s matchwinner against Peru has been the only goal that Canada have scored at the Copa America so far – and what an important goal it has proved to be.
That goal elevated Canada above both Chile and Peru – who both failed to score at the competition – and was enough to see Marsch’s side through to the last eight.
The Lille forward is their best chance of finding the back of the net and averages one shot per game at the Copa America.
He averaged 2.3 shots per game in Ligue 1 last season on his way to scoring an impressive 19 goals from 30 starts and is good value to find the target just once against Venezuela.
Stephen Eustaquio to Commit 2+ Fouls
No Canadian player has come close to committing the number of fouls as Stephen Eustaquio.
The Porto midfielder has started every game at the base of the Canadian midfield and boasts an average of 2.7 fouls per game at the Copa America. The next-highest average in the Canadian squad is Cyle Larin, who averages 1.7 fouls per game.
Eustaquio, who has somehow managed to avoid a booking, also averages an incredible impressive average of 3.7 tackles per game at the tournament – the second-highest of any Canadian player.
It goes without saying that he will be tasked with breaking up much of the Venezuela attacks and could easily find himself penalised at least twice.
Venezuela v Canada predictions
BET BUILDER
The Draw
Under 2.5 Goals
Venezuela to Have 5+ Shots on Target
Jonathan David to Have 1+ Shots on Target
Stephen Eustaquio to Commit 2+ Fouls
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 45/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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