Kick-off: 2200, 13/06/2021
Stadium: Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha
TV: BBC digital
Brazil are the favourites to rule supreme on home soil yet again in the Copa America and can begin by brushing aside Venezuela.
The Samba Boys ended a 12-year wait for a South American title in 2019 in their homeland, beating Peru 3-1 in the final, which was the only goal they conceded in that event.
Tite’s side should start their campaign this time around comfortably and a win to nil at 21/50 is our first Brazil vs Venezuela prediction.
A Look At Brazil’s Betting Odds
After winning four Copa Americas in five from 1997, Brazil experienced disappointment on their next three outings.
Two quarter-final appearances were followed by a shock group-stage exit in 2016, but they returned to their dominant best to claim a ninth title two years ago, even without the influential Neymar due to injury.
They saw off arch-rivals Argentina 2-0 in the semi-finals and conceded their only goal of the campaign in the showpiece decider against Peru in Rio de Janeiro.
Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus scored in both of those games and is one of many Premier League-based players in Brazil’s talented squad, which is headlined by Paris St Germain forward Neymar.
The likes of Alisson Becker, Thiago Silva, Fabinho, Richarlison and Roberto Firmino all make Brazil the formidable side they are.
They will be hard to stop now the tournament is taking place in their own country instead of joint hosts Colombia and Argentina.
This month’s back-to-back 2-0 wins over Ecuador and Paraguay in World Cup qualifiers only support that view.
Looking at the Brazil vs Venezuela odds, Tite’s team to win by the same scoreline here is a tempting 17/4.
A Look At Venezuela’s Betting Odds
Venezuela are coming off mixed efforts in World Cup games, losing 3-1 versus Bolivia but then drawing 0-0 with Uruguay.
La Vinotinto have improved their performances at the Copa America over the last 14 years. They had 12 group-stage exits in a row until 2007, when they broke new ground and reached the quarter-finals.
A fourth-placed finish followed in 2011 after losing to Paraguay on penalties in the semi-finals, before appearances in the last eight in their previous two campaigns.
They secured a goalless draw against eventual winners Brazil in the group stage at the 2019 Copa America, ending a run of three straight head-to-head defeats.
However, Roberto Firmino’s second-half goal then secured a 1-0 victory in World Cup qualifying last November.
The last three encounters have seen the Samba Boys keep clean sheets, but never look likely to overwhelm their opponents.
So, let’s finish off our Brazil vs Venezuela betting tips with a home win and under 3.5 goals at 4/5.
Head-to-head: Brazil 1-0 Venezuela, Brazil 0-0 Venezuela, Venezuela 0-2 Brazil, Brazil 3-1 Venezuela, Brazil 2-1 Venezuela.
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