Prediction: Uruguay vs Peru

Verdict: Uruguay win to nil

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

Two nations who are looking to book a semi-final spot in this year’s Copa America, Uruguay will face off against Peru in Bahia on Saturday night.

Uruguay

Starting with a resurgent Uruguay outfit, while a run of four consecutive defeats may have had many questioning La Celeste after only landing a round of 16 finish out in Russia last summer, Óscar Tabárez’s side have shown some much-needed improvements. Putting in another impressive display in their 1-0 win over Chile to secure their spot at the top of Group C, the Blues have now won five of their last six outings and are unbeaten since the middle of November. Along with boasting a glittering attacking line-up that consists of both Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, it has once again been Uruguay’s continued defensive resolve that has caught the eye. Managing to record clean sheets in each of their previous five victories, La Celeste have also picked the ball out of their own net just twice in nearly 600 minutes of action. With the mood in their camp the highest it has been since watching their World Cup campaign come to an end last year, Uruguay have their sights set on lifting their first Copa America crown since 2015.

Team News

Diego Laxalt remains a doubt due to the hamstring injury he picked up against Japan, while Lucas Torreira and Cristhian Stuani will both face late fitness tests following an illness.

Peru

As for a struggling Peru side, while La Blanquirroja’s may have managed to have just pinched a way through to the knockout stage of this year’s Copa America as one of the third best finishers, they have begun to show some real cause for concern. Once again drastically struggling in their 5-0 hammering against South American giants Brazil in their final Group A encounter last weekend, Ricardo Gareca’s side have endured an incredibly lackluster past 12 months. Recording just a single victory in any of their last four matches across all competitions, Peru have also managed just four wins in their 11 post-World Cup outings, including a 2-0 loss against an El Salvador side that are ranked 58 places below them in the FIFA rankings. A huge part of the Reds’ recent issues has been their continued issues in the final third. Peru have now failed to find the net in three of their last four appearances.

Team News

La Blanquirroja have a fully fit squad to choose from, although may decide to make changes to the line-up that was thrashed 5-0 by Brazil in the final group game.

Key Factors to Consider

• Uruguay have won four of their last five matches against Peru.
• La Celeste have recorded five clean sheets in their last six outings.
• Peru have won just four of their last 11 matches across all competitions.
• Peru have also failed to find the net in three of their last four outings.
• Uruguay are unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions.

Conclusion

On paper, Uruguay should see this as a golden opportunity to secure a spot in the semi-finals of this year’s Copa America. Yet to taste defeat out in Brazil this summer and continuing to shine defensively, it is also hard to look past their very eye-catching record against Peru. Given La Celeste’s continued form, we’re backing Uruguay to come away with a comfortable victory in Bahia this weekend.

Verdict: Uruguay win to nil

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Bet365