Brazil vs. Venezuela (Sunday, 10.00pm)
© Reuters
The 2021 Copa America gets underway on Sunday night with hosts Brazil taking on northern neighbours Venezuela at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia.
As the clear favourites coming into this tournament, Brazil will expect to pick up three points this weekend as they look to defend the title they won back in 2019.
We say: Brazil 1-0 Venezuela
It would be easy to call a resounding victory for Brazil, but the likeliness is that this will be a much more cagey affair and the Selecao may struggle against a resolute Venezuela defence. It will likely come down to a moment of magic from Neymar and co.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Venezuela could line up against Brazil
> How Brazil could line up against Venezuela
Colombia vs. Ecuador (Monday, 1.00am)
© Reuters
Colombia and Ecuador square off in Cuiaba on Monday, in the first round of fixtures in the Copa America group stage.
Colombia come into the tournament heavily fancied to qualify out of their group, while Ecuador may find themselves in a battle with Peru and Venezuela for two spots, with a win on Monday giving them a huge platform.
We say: Colombia 2-0 Ecuador
While this could be a cagey low-scoring affair as both sides look to settle in for the tournament, we see Colombia having too much quality for their opponents and finding a way to win as a result.
Rueda's men come in with high expectations of success, and they should kick off their campaign with a victory to establish themselves at the top end of the group.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Ecuador could line up against Colombia
> How Colombia could line up against Ecuador
Barney Corkhill
