Copa America Preview - Uruguay vs Peru - prediction

14 time Copa America Champions Uruguay kick start their campaign against tournament underdogs Peru at the Estadio del Bicentenario. A look at what is to be expected from the opening match of group C.

Uruguay info:
Fifa ranking:  16th
Expected line up:  Mulsera, Caceres, Godin, Lugano, Scotti , Periera, Perez, Gargano, Forlan, Suarez, Cavani


The team that advanced the furthest amongst the South Americans in the World Cup last year and since then, has only gone stronger faces Peru in its first match of the tournament. Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Diego Forlan and Diego Lugano are all in top form for their opening fixture against the Peruvians. They are the strongest contenders for the title alongside Argentina and Brazil. Coach Oscar Tabarez is an intelligent tactician who has shown time and again that he can adapt any type of football and has no fear of how strong his opponents are. A special rivalry between Argentina and the Charrúas grows as both the teams are hungry for a record 15th Copa America triumph. Having reached third place and fourth place in the last two Copa América tournaments, the present generation of Uruguayan players is widely considered among the very best in their country in the last five decades mostly because of helping the National team finish fourth in South Africa last year.


Man to watch:

A tough selection had to be made for this spot between Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan but the Napoli hit man just edged past the World Cup golden ball winner. Cavani, nicknamed "El Matador" for his commanding presence, has had an outstanding season with Serie A club Napoli scoring 33 goals in a total of 43 appearances. The 24 year old in-form striker will be testing the Peruvian defense and goal keeper to their limits with the likes of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez assisting him.



Peru info:
Fifa ranking: 49th
Expected line up: Fernandez, Acasiete, Vilchez, Rodríguez, Vargas, Corzo, Ballon, Cruzado, Ruidiaz, Carrilo, Guerrero


Sergio Markarian's already weak side suffered a further blow when Jefferson Farfan and Claudio Pizarro, 2 of the best players in the team, were forced to withdraw from the tournament due to injuries. They have a tough group awaiting them. On paper, the 2 time Champions have very little chance of qualifying from a group consisting of Uruguay, Chile and Mexico. They last won the competition in 1975 and have a negligible chance of winning the cup this time around. The arrival of Uruguayan head coach Sergio Markarián was the cause of some temporary confidence but even he has struggled to form a competitive team from Peru’s shallow pool of talent. However, the La Blanquirroja will head into the tournament motivated by the fact that they managed to reach the last 4 in the last 3 editions of the Copa America.

Man to watch:

As forward Jefferson Farfán was discarded from the tournament after suffering a lesion in the left leg, Juan Manuel Vargas is now the only candidate left to keep the hopes of the Peruvian fans alive. Vargas has become an icon in the Inca squad for his commitment, strength and accuracy in the tackle, and is and his reading of the game. He is considered as one of the best left backs in the Serie A as his spell in Fiorentina has been a success, and he is chased by several big European clubs.



Prediction:


Should be a comfortable victory for the blue outfit due to their excellent form and Peru’s injuries. The Peruvian defense will have to put in a lot of effort to stop players like Suarez, Forlan and Cavani from hitting the net. They just might be lucky enough to snatch a draw.