“Win or go home.” As a sports fan, it is probably the greatest four words, when put together, that you can hear. After two weeks of group stage games, 32 countries have become 16. Two of those 16, Colombia and Uruguay, will face each other at the famous Estadio do Maracana on June 28th.
Colombia come into the match scoring 9 goals over the span of three games, while Uruguay somehow managed to get out of their group, in front of both Italy and England, after losing their opening game to Costa Rica 3-1.
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Because soccer is such an unpredictable sport, I don’t want to and can’t really predict who will score the goals and when those goals will come. What I can predict for you is that there will most likely be goals. Jackson Martinez looked in fine form in Colombia’s last game against Japan, while Juan Cuadrado and James Rodriguez are garnering interest from some of the world’s top teams. Look for those three players to be influential throughout the entirety of this game.
Colombia is a team that can counter with ferocity, but they can also hold possession well when given the chance. They will use both tactics against the Uruguayans as La Celeste play very much into a counter attacking game. Uruguay never really enjoyed any type of possession against England or Italy, but Colombia is a different type of team. They rely on their speed, and the talent that they have on their wings to attack their opponents.
This game can become very open very quick, and I would not be surprised if both teams held an equal amount of possession trying to counter whenever the other loses possession in the midfield.
Uruguay, as many know, will be without Louis Suarez. But having Diego Forlan as a replacement isn’t too shabby. Though older and out of favor, Forlan has the ability to change a game all on his own. So seeing him come up with some type of magic would not be overly surprising.
I expect this to be a highly entertaining game, one that should offer multiple chances for both sides. My key player to watch will be the young Colombian superstar James Rodriguez. His talent is becoming more and more apparent game by game. This kid is dangerous and I believe he can be the deciding factor that brings the Colombians into the quarterfinals.
My Prediction: Colombia advance after 3-1 win.
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada.lv:
Colombia: -½ (-115) // -115 Moneyline
Uruguay: +½ (-105) // +325 Moneyline
Draw +260
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