Only a few days after the first round of games, the second series is nearly here.
These fixtures will start shaping up how the group will develop.
Too early, some may say, but not me. Another victory for those who prevailed on their first matches, and their confidence will grow as much as it will decrease on those defeated by them.
Argentina, after clearly beating Chile 4-1 at home, travel to Venezuela to face a very competent side.
The home side’s stars will be rested, as they did not play in Ecuador, but I think the pressure on them will be too much and the strategy of trying to get results against the bigger nations will prove to daunting in the end.
Mascherano will be returning after suspension, and that can only add strength to the visitors’ midfield.
Uruguay are visiting Paraguay in a very intriguing tie. Asuncion has always been a fortress, and I don’t expect an easy win for the Copa America champions.
It will all depend on how patient they are on the night, and also if their defence has learnt from their mistakes against Bolivia.
Paraguay will try and dominate the midfield and break up the link between Uruguay’s lines to cut the supply to the always deadly Suarez and Cavani.
I see this one as a tactical battle, between two clever Managers, and my favourite game of the round.
Chile, with all the doubts that their first game brought so suddenly, will do very well to re establish themselves at home, against a good side like Peru.
The visiting team, will surely play differently to how they did at home against Paraguay, but will still pose a great threat on the counter, as they have a lot of pace up front.
Borghi, had a few days to re think, and I am sure, we will see a back to basics Chilean side, playing to their strengths that are team effort, sacrifice and attacking from the flanks.
Bolivia and Colombia, will compete in La Paz, at more than 3000 mts above sea level.
Colombia makes their debut in the competition still searching to replace the quality of the not so distant past.
So far the task has proven difficult with many good players that promised a lot but have not had been consistent enough to shine and produce the results their country fans were used to.
Bolivia, are a different proposition in the altitude of La Paz, where they are always hard to beat.
I expect this one to be close, and to go to the wire, but not one to be remembered.
These fixtures will start shaping up how the group will develop.
Too early, some may say, but not me. Another victory for those who prevailed on their first matches, and their confidence will grow as much as it will decrease on those defeated by them.
Argentina, after clearly beating Chile 4-1 at home, travel to Venezuela to face a very competent side.
The home side’s stars will be rested, as they did not play in Ecuador, but I think the pressure on them will be too much and the strategy of trying to get results against the bigger nations will prove to daunting in the end.
Mascherano will be returning after suspension, and that can only add strength to the visitors’ midfield.
Uruguay are visiting Paraguay in a very intriguing tie. Asuncion has always been a fortress, and I don’t expect an easy win for the Copa America champions.
It will all depend on how patient they are on the night, and also if their defence has learnt from their mistakes against Bolivia.
Paraguay will try and dominate the midfield and break up the link between Uruguay’s lines to cut the supply to the always deadly Suarez and Cavani.
I see this one as a tactical battle, between two clever Managers, and my favourite game of the round.
Chile, with all the doubts that their first game brought so suddenly, will do very well to re establish themselves at home, against a good side like Peru.
The visiting team, will surely play differently to how they did at home against Paraguay, but will still pose a great threat on the counter, as they have a lot of pace up front.
Borghi, had a few days to re think, and I am sure, we will see a back to basics Chilean side, playing to their strengths that are team effort, sacrifice and attacking from the flanks.
Bolivia and Colombia, will compete in La Paz, at more than 3000 mts above sea level.
Colombia makes their debut in the competition still searching to replace the quality of the not so distant past.
So far the task has proven difficult with many good players that promised a lot but have not had been consistent enough to shine and produce the results their country fans were used to.
Bolivia, are a different proposition in the altitude of La Paz, where they are always hard to beat.
I expect this one to be close, and to go to the wire, but not one to be remembered.