Chile only need a draw against Uruguay to top Group C at the Copa America and are fancied to achieve that feat in Rio de Janeiro. The 2015 and 2016 champions again look fired up for this competition, with their energy and enthusiasm expected to be a match for La Celeste’s undoubted quality.
Ecuador and Japan both showed improved form in their second Copa America games but we favour the latter team when they meet in Belo Horizonte. The Samurai Blue deserve plenty of credit for a 2-2 draw against Uruguay, whereas Los Amarillos still looked a little lacklustre in going down 2-1 to Chile.
Argentina have been frustrating to follow at the Copa America but still have a chance of scraping into the knockout stages when facing Qatar in Porto Alegre. La Albiceleste cannot afford an embarrassing early exit after disappointing at the World Cup and should be fully fired up for this crucial contest.
Colombia are already assured of finishing top of Copa America Group B and that could make Paraguay a value pick when they meet in Salvador. There was nothing between these two teams in World Cup qualifying, with each side snatching narrow away victories via stoppage-time strikes.
After goalless draws with Peru and Brazil at the Copa America, we’re hoping Venezuela open up more when facing Bolivia in their final Group A game. La Verde have conceded six times in losses to the same two opponents and should be there for the taking, as they must go for a win.
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Ivory Coast have added some exciting young talent to several proven stalwarts and can kick off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign by seeing off South Africa. Bafana Bafana are also a likeable bunch, with decent discipline at the back and a good work ethic, but may just lack the class of their opponents.
England have given themselves a mountain to climb at the European Under-21 Championship and face another tough test when taking on a red-hot Romania side. The Young Lions must try to recover from an opening 2-1 loss to France, but their next opponents were mightily impressive in beating Croatia 4-1.
Chile look highly motivated to claim a hat-trick of Copa America triumphs, whereas Ecuador do not tend to put as much emphasis on this tournament. That view was backed up by their opening exploits, with La Roja beating Japan 4-0 and Los Amarillos losing by the same scoreline against Uruguay.
Uruguay are hard to oppose when taking on Copa America guests Japan in Porto Alegre after these sides made contrasting starts to the tournament. La Celeste enjoyed a 4-0 triumph over Ecuador, while the Samurai Blue were beaten by the same scoreline when taking on Chile in their opener.
Egypt are expected to ease past Zimbabwe on home turf in the opening group-stage match of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo. The Pharaohs have a formidable record when playing in front of their own supporters, securing 11 straight victories to stretch an unbeaten sequence in such fixtures to 16.
Colombia will be confident of building on their surprise win over Argentina by brushing aside Copa America newcomers Qatar in Sao Paulo. However, their opponents showed they are not just here to make up the numbers when battling back to draw 2-2 with Paraguay in their Group B opener.
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Peru will have been frustrated to kick off their Copa America campaign with a goalless draw against Venezuela but are worth sticking with to beat Bolivia. La Verde are coming off a 3-0 drubbing by Brazil and look by far the weakest link in Group A, with a lack of attacking firepower the main problem.