Prediction: Brazil vs Venezuela

Verdict: Brazil win and under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Bet365

Enjoying a bright start to their Group A campaign, Brazil will welcome Venezuela to the Arena Fonte Nova in the early hours of Wednesday.

Brazil

Starting with the hosts, picking up an empathic 3-0 win over Bolivia to open their Copa America campaign, the mood in Brazil’s camp is certainly on a high. Continuing to show improvements since their quarter-final finish out in Russia last summer, Tite’s men are unbeaten in their 11 post-World Cup matchups, winning 10 of those contest. Along with Barcelona winger Philippe Coutinho bagging a brace and showing why the South American giants are so feared in the final third, they have been applauded by their newfound defensive stability. Now going over 300 minutes without picking the ball out of their net, fans in Salvador will also be impressed by Brazil’s form on home soil. Recording three consecutive victories at the Arena Fonte Nova and scoring 10 goals on that winning run, the former World champions have not tasted defeat on home soil since June 2017.

Team News

Tite used Fernandinho and Casemiro in holding midfield against Bolivia and he may stick with that combination on Wednesday.

Everton’s goalscoring appearance from the bench last time out will have improved his chances of starting Wednesday’s contest.

Venezuela

As for the visitors, after picking up a 0-0 draw in their Group A opener against Peru last weekend, Venezuela are a nation that will be believing they can reach the knockout stage of this year’s Copa America. Undoubtedly seeing their morale boosted by taking a point off of them against a team ranked 12 places higher in the FIFA rankings, Rafael Dudamel has also seen his side pick up some notable victories since the turn of the year. Including landing a 3-0 victory away in the USA earlier in the month, they will also still be boosted by their famous 3-1 win away at Lionel Messi’s Argentina back in March. While La Vinotinto might be dreaming of securing a route out of Group A, they do hold a worrying record against Wednesday’s opponents. Suffering a 2-0 loss when Venezuela last met Brazil back at the 2016 World Cup finals, they have won just two of their 25 meetings between the two nations.

Team News

Mago’s dismissal against Peru means that Dudamel will have to shuffle his pack slightly.

Ronald Hernandez is expected to be recalled to the side, which could see Roberto Rosales move to the opposite flank.

Key Factors to Consider

• Brazil have won six of their seven Copa America meetings with Wednesday’s opponents, scoring 27 goals and conceding just two.
• Brazil have met Venezuela twice on home soil in Copa America tournaments, winning 6-0 in 1975 and 3-1 in 1989.
• The Yellows have also lost just two of the 25 meetings between the two nations.
• Venezuela have lost two of their last three matches on the road.
• Barcelona winger Philippe Coutinho has three goals in his last two matches while away on international duty.

Conclusion

After enjoying a bright post-World Cup run, Brazil will be confident of lifting their first Copa America title since 2007. With the morale on a high after picking up their 3-0 win in last week’s 3-0 win over Bolivia, we’re backing the South American giants to come away with the three points when the two sides meet in Salvador.

Verdict: Brazil win and under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Bet365