Copa America 2015: TV, Live Stream Schedule, Predictions for Thursday Fixture
Having crossed the midway point of the 2015 Copa America group stage, we've already seen a host of unexpected surprises in Chile, not least of which has been the drama unfolding in Group C.
Thursday sees Peru take on Venezuela in the only scheduled fixture, but what a clash it promises to be after the pair launched their own shock bid to qualify from what many might have thought was a predetermined pool.
Venezuela's 1-0 victory over Colombia sees them sitting level on points with Group C leaders Brazil, while Peru were mere minutes away from claiming a shock 1-1 draw against the Selecao in their opening match.
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Read on for preview and prediction for Thursday's action, along with all the necessary viewing information.
Peru vs. Venezuela
| 12:30 a.m. BST (Fri. June 19), 7:30 p.m. ET | Peru vs. Venezuela | beIN Sports 1 | beIN Sports Connect |
The final fixture in the second round of group-stage matches will see Peru face Venezuela in a tense collision between would-be qualifiers, both struggling to get out from under the shadows of Brazil and Colombia.
Venezuela will cherish their 1-0 victory over Jose Pekerman's men, but as David Cartlidge of beIN Sports attests, that win may have come as a result of Colombia being poor more so than Venezuela producing a stellar display:
Peru, on the other hand, were not so fortunate in their 1-0 loss to Brazil, when an incredible performance from Neymar proved to be the difference between giant and underdog.
What was impressive to see, though, was Peru's willingness to attack and not merely pack players behind the ball, earning the applause of broadcaster Paul Sarahs in the process:
"@TomCStandard Yes indeed, some outstanding performances from them tonight. Good game.
— Paul Sarahs (@PaulSarahs) June 14, 2015"
With both teams scoring just a single goal in their opening matches of the competition, it's difficult to know what to expect when the two do battle in Valparaiso this Thursday.
Venezuela coach Noel Sanvicente was quoted by ESPN FC regarding his awareness of Colombia's greatest weapons, and Peru will require their own research if La Vinotinto are to continue their winning start:
"We knew it was a difficult game, so we had to be ordered. The keys were giving some information to the players. For instance, [Juan] Cuadrado usually wins when dribbling.
The same for James Rodriguez, he can't [be allowed to] think calmly, otherwise he can put us in trouble. And then we tried to prevent Falcao to be in contact with the ball. The idea was performing these concepts well.
We were aware as well of [Pablo] Armero and [Camilo] Zuniga's external runs. Therefore we built this defence, trying to be two against one in order to not them let think.
The team was reinforcing as the game was running. We took our chance.
As they were the favourite team they put many strikers and we had to battle it with more defence. Thank God everything runs well and we got three very important points.
"
Isolating Salomon Rondon will be considered a priority as far as Peru are concerned, and if the Zenit St. Petersburg frontman can be nullified, it promises to see the Venezuelan attack run short of ideas.
Peru, meanwhile, will be looking to thread through as much supply as possible to Jefferson Farfan and Paolo Guerrero, although Goal.com reports the Schalke man missed training on Tuesday with a foot injury and could be absent on Thursday.
Prediction
Defeat for Peru on Thursday would most likely see their tournament come to its end as three points may well not be sufficient to even earn a berth as one of the best-placed third teams—and that's provided they could beat Colombia.
Venezuela, meanwhile, know that a place in the next stage of the contest may be theirs for the taking, but the team now has pressure to live up to expectations.
It's significant that Douglas Costa's extra-time winner against Peru came so late on, when a stack of defenders couldn't hold back the Selecao's onslaught in the stages where stamina becomes an issue.
The aforementioned injury to Farfan may not prove too destabilising, though, as Peru have a proven goalscorer in Claudio Pizarro ready to replace him if necessary, quoted in the Goal report as saying:
"Jeffry stayed in the hotel because he has some problems, but, if given the opportunity, I would be glad to play."
Although both teams are coming off the back of encouraging results, it's Venezuela who will have taken a great deal of belief from their triumph over Colombia; some within Peru's camp may feel downtrodden following the Brazil defeat.
That plus La Vinotinto's advantage in European-based quality gives them a slight edge, and a second successive win should sit within reach of Sanvicente's men.
Prediction: Peru 2-3 Venezuela
