Quarter-final match betting previews, tips & TV channel

Premier 1 from 8pm Friday

Colombia v Chile

Midnight

Colombia were the only team to maintain a 100 per cent record in the Copa America group stage and can keep the winning run going by ending Chile's defence of the trophy.

Defence has been a strong suit for the Colombians, who shut out Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi while registering a 2-0 success over Argentina and followed up with 1-0 wins over Qatar and Paraguay.

First place in Group B was wrapped up after just two games and head coach Carlos Queiroz took advantage of the situation by making ten changes for the contest with Paraguay.

Defeating Paraguay with a largely second-string side demonstrated Colombia's strength in depth and perhaps the only worry for Queiroz is a concern that his team might have peaked too soon.

However, on the evidence of the group stage Colombia look a stronger side than Chile, who may not have fully recovered from their failure to qualify for last summer's World Cup.

Chile started the Copa well enough defeating Japan 4-0 and Ecuador 2-1, but they failed their first big test, losing 1-0 to Uruguay at the Maracana.

Colombia are likely to pose them an equally difficult challenge and it seems unlikely that Chile will come up with the answers.

Recommendation
Colombia
1pt 6-5 general

Bet on this match at soccerbase.com

Key stat
Colombia have won eight of their last nine games.

Venezuela v Argentina

8pm

Argentina have not beaten Venezuela in their last three meetings and look poor-value odds-on favourites to win their Copa America quarter-final at the Maracana.

There is still time for Argentina to turn their fortunes around but they performed well below expectations in Group B, finishing five points behind Colombia, and will have to improve to get their hands on the trophy for the first time since 1993.

The Albiceleste's goal potential looks massive with Sergio Aguero teaming up with Lionel Messi but several managers have failed to get the best out of the duo and Lionel Scaloni doesn't appear to be faring any better.

Aguero and Messi netted one goal each in the group stage as Scaloni's side flirted with disaster.

They were bottom going into their third match against Qatar but climbed two places after sealing a 2-0 success over the Gulf state with goals from Lautaro Martinez and Aguero.

Given the way they have been performing it is hard to trust Scaloni's side against Venezuela, who defeated them 3-1 in a March friendly in Madrid.

Venezuela held Brazil to a 0-0 draw during their unbeaten Group A campaign and they are defending well enough to frustrate Argentina, increasing the prospect of extra-time and penalties.

Recommendation
Draw
1pt 14-5 general

Bet on this match at soccerbase.com

Key stat
Venezuela have conceded just one goal in their last four matches.

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