Brazil vs Venezuela: The reigning continental champions to start the tournament with a win

Brazil will take on Venezuela in the opening match of Copa America 2021. Who will be the side that scores the first points of the tournament? We predict that Tite’s team will justify their projected title and clinch a solid win!

Brazil is the Copa America reigning champion, having won the title two years ago. That’s why they are one of the main favourites of the tournament. For the second time in a row, Brazil will host the competition, as the other countries have refused to host due to coronavirus restrictions. The Pentacampeons are now in excellent form, as evidenced by their six victories in their six initial qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup. The main problem for the Brazilians is Tiago Silva’s injury, which he picked in the Champions League final, but he was included in the squad for Copa America 2021.

Venezuela was a quarterfinalist in the last Copa America, but they suffered a 0-2 loss to Argentina in the first leg of the playoffs, ending their performance in the tournament. The starting point of the qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2022 is also not the best for La Vinotinto, as they have only one victory in six games played, and that over Chile with a minimum score difference of 2-1. In the last round Venezuela shared points with Uruguay, 0-0, and in the remaining four games they were defeated uninterruptedly, 1-8, so they are now in the last but one place in the standings.

Venezuela is a very convenient opponent for the Brazilians. Just imagine, in 18 personal meetings, La Vinotinto could gain only one victory and 14 defeats. Moreover, the only time Venezuelans defeated the Brazilians was in June 2008 in the friendlies, so we should not expect any intrigue in the upcoming game. Brazil is in great shape right now, they have won six games in a row, but Jose Peseiro’s boys are not pleased with their game lately. As a result, we suggest betting on Brazil to win with a handicap (-2.5) for 2.41.

Brazil is the unconditional favourite in the upcoming confrontation, so it is very important for them to quickly crack the opponent’s defence, open the score, and then do what they are very good at, play on the counterattack. That’s why we have the right to expect from Tite’s charges that from the very first minutes of the battle they will try to carry out several dangerous attacks, acting aggressively near the net. On this basis, the best option for the prediction seems to be a goal from 16 to 30 minutes inclusive with the odds close to 2.72.

Neymar, by all appearances, finally decided to start playing football The past season turned out for his worst since his departure to Europe, as in the French championship in 18 games he scored only nine goals and five assists. Fortunately, he continues to play consistently well for Brazil, and he scored five goals in four games in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, including scoring in both June meetings. It is obvious that the 29-year-old forward is in good form, so it is worth looking at a bet on Neymar’s goal with odds of about 2.25.