Matches
Group A: Costa Rica v Paraguay
Group B: Haiti v Peru
Brazil v Ecuador
Costa Rica v Paraguay
This is the second fixture of Group A. Both teams are looking to jump into 2nd place in the group, following the USA's loss to Colombia. These teams are relatively evenly matched. Neither have exceptional skill or experience in big games, but both have shown they have the capacity to be the dark horse and take out stronger teams. Normally, I would favor Costa Rica in this match, as they are coming off a strong showing in the 2014 World Cup, where they upset the likes of Uruguay, Italy, England, and Greece in order to make it to the quarterfinals of the cup. However, this time around, Costa Rica is without their best player: goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who recently picked up an Achilles injury. Therefore, I believe these two teams are relatively equal, and thus the match will end as a draw.
Prediction: Draw at 1-1
Haiti v Peru
This is a matchup between two teams that realistically have a very low chance of making the knockout rounds. However, both teams will try to take advantage of this matchup to pick up points in case they can upset either Brazil or Ecuador. Both teams in this matchup are very inexperienced. However, Peru has momentum. The Peruvians have won both of their friendlies in the last two weeks leading up to this cup by a combined score of 7-1. Haiti, on the other hand, has not won a match since January 8. I believe Peru will be much more confident going into the match, and as a result will outplay Haiti and win the match.
Prediction: Peru wins 2-0
Brazil v Ecuador
This matchup is between the two teams that are expected to advance to the knockout stage from Group B. This match is mostly for seeding, to determine which team will get the easier draw to the finals. Normally, I would take Brazil in a heartbeat. However, most of Brazil's stars are not participating in the cup, in order to rest for the Rio Olympics. Do you remember that time Germany beat Brazil 7-1? Well, ZERO of the Brazilian starters from that match are starting today. ZERO. This is not the top Brazilian team. Instead of Thiago Silva and David Luiz, Brazil have Marquinhos and Gil as centre defenders. Instead of Neymar and Oscar, Brazil are playing guys like Willian and Phillippe Coutinho in the attack. But this is not to say that this team is bad. Brazil's team is still stronger than Ecuador. Brazil will likely win, but not as handily as they normally would.
Prediction: Brazil wins 2-1
Group A: Costa Rica v Paraguay
Group B: Haiti v Peru
Brazil v Ecuador
Costa Rica v Paraguay
This is the second fixture of Group A. Both teams are looking to jump into 2nd place in the group, following the USA's loss to Colombia. These teams are relatively evenly matched. Neither have exceptional skill or experience in big games, but both have shown they have the capacity to be the dark horse and take out stronger teams. Normally, I would favor Costa Rica in this match, as they are coming off a strong showing in the 2014 World Cup, where they upset the likes of Uruguay, Italy, England, and Greece in order to make it to the quarterfinals of the cup. However, this time around, Costa Rica is without their best player: goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who recently picked up an Achilles injury. Therefore, I believe these two teams are relatively equal, and thus the match will end as a draw.
Prediction: Draw at 1-1
Haiti v Peru
This is a matchup between two teams that realistically have a very low chance of making the knockout rounds. However, both teams will try to take advantage of this matchup to pick up points in case they can upset either Brazil or Ecuador. Both teams in this matchup are very inexperienced. However, Peru has momentum. The Peruvians have won both of their friendlies in the last two weeks leading up to this cup by a combined score of 7-1. Haiti, on the other hand, has not won a match since January 8. I believe Peru will be much more confident going into the match, and as a result will outplay Haiti and win the match.
Prediction: Peru wins 2-0
Brazil v Ecuador
This matchup is between the two teams that are expected to advance to the knockout stage from Group B. This match is mostly for seeding, to determine which team will get the easier draw to the finals. Normally, I would take Brazil in a heartbeat. However, most of Brazil's stars are not participating in the cup, in order to rest for the Rio Olympics. Do you remember that time Germany beat Brazil 7-1? Well, ZERO of the Brazilian starters from that match are starting today. ZERO. This is not the top Brazilian team. Instead of Thiago Silva and David Luiz, Brazil have Marquinhos and Gil as centre defenders. Instead of Neymar and Oscar, Brazil are playing guys like Willian and Phillippe Coutinho in the attack. But this is not to say that this team is bad. Brazil's team is still stronger than Ecuador. Brazil will likely win, but not as handily as they normally would.
Prediction: Brazil wins 2-1
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