Copa America 2015: Schedule, Preview and Predictions for Knockout Stages

With just one matchday left in the group stages of the 2015 Copa America, five of the eight knockout-stage participants have already been revealed. The schedule of the quarterfinals has been set, and after Sunday's Group C matches, we'll know which teams will still be in the running to win South America's biggest international competition.

Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela are all tied on three points, and at least two of these teams will make it to the next round. Goal difference could determine whether a third team advances from Group C, with Ecuador currently ranked as the worst third-placed team, sporting three points and a goal difference of minus-two.

Here's a look at the schedule for the knockout stages. Chile and Uruguay will meet in one of the quarter-finals, while the other three qualified teams―Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay―will have to wait for the results from Sunday's matches to learn which opponents they'll face.

Date	Stage	Team	vs.	Team
June 24	QF	Chile	vs.	Uruguay
June 25	QF	Bolivia	vs.	Group C Runner-Up
June 26	QF	Argentina	vs.	Third Place Group A/C
June 27	QF	Paraguay	vs.	Group C Winner
June 29	SF	tbd	vs.	tbd
June 30	SF	tbd	vs.	tbd
July 3	3rd Place	tbd	vs.	tbd
July 4	Final	tbd	vs.	tbd

Preview, Predictions for Group C

Jorge Saenz/Associated Press

Entering the final match of the group stages, one question is being asked more than any other: Can Brazil survive without Neymar?

The star forward was dismissed against Colombia before reportedly unleashing a verbal assault on the official―per ESPN.co.uk―and was hit with a four-match ban as a result. If the ban stands, the Barcelona star's Copa America is over.

Last year, at the 2014 World Cup, the Selecao imploded when Neymar left with an injury, resulting in an embarrassing 7-1 loss against Germany and a loss in the third-placed match against the Netherlands as well. La Liga blogger Sergi Dominguez thinks this year's squad may be even worse:

Venezuela shocked fans and pundits alike with their 1-0 win over Colombia, and while the loss against Peru took some of the wind out of their sails, they still have a good chance of qualifying for the next round.

The Selecao will carry the weight of a nation on their shoulders on Sunday, as anything but a win will be considered a disappointment. As a result, momentum may actually be with Venezuela, and defender Gabriel Cichero believes in his nation's ability to unite (h/t Goal's Kris Voakes):

In terms of pure quality, the advantage obviously lies with Brazil, but the Selecao have looked thoroughly unimpressive so far during the Copa America. With Neymar now sidelined, it will be up to the likes of Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho to provide the creative spark the team has lacked so far.

Despite the setbacks, this team knows how to win ugly. Joao Miranda reminded everyone the Selecao were on an 11-match win streak before the loss against Colombia, via Selecao Brasileira, and even without Neymar, Brazil should be able to draw with Venezuela, at the very least, which could be good enough for a spot in the next round.

Peru will present Colombia with an equally difficult challenge. The squad defends in numbers and proved a very difficult side to break down for the Brazilians, and while Peru didn't look particularly menacing against 10-men Venezuela, they got the job done when it mattered the most.

Colombia will be without Carlos Bacca, who was also suspended as a result of the incident with Neymar, but with Radamel Falcao and Jackson Martinez in the squad, they still have plenty of attacking firepower.

For Martinez, this presents a unique opportunity to drive up his price ahead of a possible transfer move. He had a similar impact off the bench during the 2014 World Cup, and via Sky Sport's Fabrizio Romano, he's currently a popular name on the open market:

In 2011, Peru advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament after a shock defeat of Colombia, and the side will have a similar upset in mind. This Colombian side has grown exponentially since, however, and with James Rodriguez pulling the strings in midfield, they simply have too much attacking firepower to be contained at his point.

Predictions: Colombia 2-1 Peru, Brazil 1-0 Venezuela.

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