Uruguay vs Colombia predictions: In-form rivals set for semi-final cracker
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- Uruguay have scored 13 goals in their last five games
- Six of Colombia's last seven games have featured over 2.5 goals
- Recommended bet: Over 2.5 goals
Uruguay and Colombia meet in the second Copa America semi-final and both teams should be full of confidence after their impressive campaigns.
Uruguay won all three of their Group C matches, scoring nine goals, before knocking out Brazil on penalties in the quarter-finals despite having Nahitan Nandez sent off for a horror tackle in the second half.
Colombia also won their group, finishing ahead of Brazil, and they swaggered into the semis with a thumping 5-0 quarter-final win over Panama.
Team news
Uruguay will be missing Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo, who went off injured in the first half of their quarter-final against Brazil, so Jose Gimenez is likely to start.
Right-back Nandez is suspended after his red card in the last eight with Guillermo Varela set to deputise.
Colombia's Jefferson Lerma is available after suspension and the Crystal Palace man should replace Mateus Uribe in midfield. Jhon Lucumi is the only fitness doubt for Los Cafeteros.
The stats
Uruguay have kept clean sheets in six of their last seven competitive games.
La Celeste have scored 13 goals in their last five internationals.
Four of the last five meetings between Uruguay and Colombia were level at the end of 90 minutes.
Colombia have won 11 of their last 12 matches.
Los Cafeteros have scored seven first-half goals in four Copa America matches.
Six of Colombia's last seven games have featured over 2.5 goals.
Prediction
Four of the last five games between Uruguay and Colombia have been level after 90 minutes but the most recent of those was an entertaining 2-2 draw in World Cup qualifying last October.
That clash, coupled with the teams' excellent efforts at the Copa America, suggest that over 2.5 goals is a big price in Thursday's semi-final.
Uruguay had to dig deep in their goalless quarter-final against an attritional Brazil side but they had beaten Panama 3-1, Bolivia 5-0 and the USA 1-0 in their three group games.
Coach Marcelo Bielsa will be forced into defensive changes due to Nandez's ban and Ronald Araujo's injury and that could leave Uruguay vulnerable against a rampant Colombia attacking unit.
Los Cafeteros beat Spain in a friendly in March and hammered the USA 5-1 and Bolivia 3-0 in two prep games in June.
They have maintained their fine form at the Copa America, scoring 11 times in four matches, and a high-scoring encounter could be on the cards.
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