Prediction: Colombia vs Qatar

Verdict: Duvan Zapata to score anytime

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to build off of their famous result last week, Colombia will face off against Qatar in São Paulo on Wednesday night.

Colombia

Starting with a resurgent Colombia side, putting in a very eye-catching display and picking up a famous 2-0 win over Argentina last week, Carlos Queiroz’s side have enjoyed a stellar start to their Copa America campaign. Now under the guidance of the former Manchester United coach, Los Cafeteros have their sights set on planning a route out of Group B. Now enjoying a three-match winning run across all competitions and also picking up victories in six of their last seven contests, the Yellows have tasted defeat just once in 90 minutes over the past 12 months. Led by the red-hot Duvan Zapata who enjoyed a breakout year with Italian outfit Atalanta and also found the net against Argentina last week, fans around Barranquilla will be growing more impressed by Colombia’s newfound defensive resolve. Now going over 300 minutes without picking the ball out of their own net, they have also now managed to record clean sheets in four of their last five appearances.

Team News

After scoring in their opener, Duvan Zapata is pushing to start up front for Colombia in this clash.

Qatar

As for Qatar, after scoring two late goals to snatch a point off of Paraguay in their Group B opener last week, former Barcelona coach Félix Sánchez Bas sees his side enjoying their own purple patch. Arguably transforming into one of the surprise packages in the whole of world football, the newly crowned Asian champions find themselves sat 55th in the FIFA rankings, their best position since 1993. Picking up a famous 3-1 win over last summers’ World Cup finalists Japan back in March, a close-fought 2-0 defeat against South American giants Brazil is the Maroons’ only defeat in their nine matches in 2019. While Qatar may have shipped a pair of goals against both Paraguay and Brazil in their last two outings, their Spanish boss will be looking for the in-form Almoez Ali to lead their charge in midweek. The 22-year-old has found the net in three of his last four international appearances.

Team News

Qatar are unlikely to make any changes from their draw with Paraguay, which was a huge test for a squad who all play for Qatari club sides.

Key Factors to Consider

• Colombia are enjoying a three-match winning run and have lost just one of their last nine appearances.
• They have also now recorded clean sheets in four of their last five outings.
• Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata has scored in back-to-back matches while away on international duty.
• This is the first meeting between the two nations.
• Qatar have failed to record a clean sheet in their last three appearances.

Conclusion

While Qatar will undoubtedly still be boosted by their last comeback against Paraguay in their Group B opener, we do expect Colombia to have too much attacking talent for the visitors on Wednesday. With the impressive Duvan Zapata carrying on what has become a breakout year, we’re backing the Atalanta ace to extend his goalscoring tally in midweek.

Verdict: Duvan Zapata to score anytime

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Bet365