Over 3(+115)
Brazil vs. Peru Copa America 2021 Preview and Best Bet (Archive)
Group A action in Copa America returns to the forefront of soccer betting markets with Brazil taking on Peru in a rematch of the Copa America 2019 final.
As per multiple online sportsbooks, the star-studded Seleção are predictably the runaway faves in the betting as they look to take a stranglehold of the section and secure their advancement into the knockouts. Peru, by contrast, are massive underdogs in the betting with next to little hope of pulling off the upset according to the soccer odds.
So, as kick-off nears, we preview this game and serve up discerning betting tips and picks that offer the best value.
Brazil vs. Peru
Thursday, June 17, 2021 – 8:00 PM ET at Olympic Stadium
Brazil Win Campaign Opener Comfortably
Brazil’s 2021 Copa America campaign got off to a bright start with a resounding 3-0 win over a much weaker Venezuela side. To be fair, Venezuela got off lightly because the game wasn’t even as close as the score-line would suggest. The Seleção easily could have scored twice as many goals, but instead, they wasted the opportunity to impose their will and might on their South American neighbors.
Perhaps, they simply took pity on the Venezuelans who were forced to field a watered downside due to multiple players testing positive for Covid-19. Then again, perhaps, they were simply conserving their energy for later in the tournament when the matchups are sure to get tougher. Whatever the reason was to not burs this game wide open right out of the gates, Tite’s side nevertheless took all three points deservedly to climb to the top of Group A. Brazil is tied with Colombia in the group standings but sits in first place with a better goal differential.
Marquinhos opened the scoring in the 23rd minute while Neymar’s 64th-minute penalty kick and Gabriel Barbosa’s last minute goal rounded out the scoring in the second half. Brazil finished with 18 shots on goal, seven of which ricocheted off the frame. They had more than 60 percent of the possession and at no point looked to be under threat.
Peru to Open Campaign Against Brazil
For Peru, this marks the first game of their Copa America campaign. Starting against the group faves is a challenging way to begin a tournament but there’s something to be said about getting the toughest obstacle out of the way first too.
Either a win or a draw against Brazil would be the best start ever for Peru, but statistically and historically it’s a longshot bet. Hence, oddsmakers have all but written them off on the soccer odds board as a hallucinatory bet.
Having said that it’s worth noting that Peru did reach the final of the 2019 Copa America where they lost to Brazil. In that year, they twice faced the Seleção in the competition, losing by a whopping 5-0 in the group stage and then 3-1 in the final.
Peru’s run was inspired as they put together a Cinderella run through the competition and all the way into the final. Along the way they even upset the defending champions Chile in the semis, defying markets across multiple sportsbooks.
Of course, it’s been two years since that magical run, which in soccer is a lifetime ago. Copa America like many other tournaments was forced to cancel the event last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. And yet, the pandemic is still raging in the background and it has already affected teams in this competition.
The latest news is that Peru’s fitness coach has tested positive for coronavirus and won’t be traveling to Brazil with the national team. It remains to be seen whether he’s the only case and the issue is contained or if it might have greater consequences. Venezuela was forced to summon 15 new players at the last minute for their tournament opener against Brazil after eight players tested positive upon arrival.
Soccer Betting Verdict
A lot of uncertainty prevails over this tournament in particular as far as the unpredictability of the coronavirus which is already wreaking havoc with several teams. Given Peru’s brush with the virus, it bears paying close attention to the developments as they come from Peru’s national squad before placing a firm bet on this match. Having said there are certain bets that offer value at this stage, one of which is the totals. Brazil could have easily blown Venezuela out of the water in the first game but they didn’t. They might find better form, rhythm and intensity in game two though.
Soccer Picks: OVER 3 (+115) with Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.