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Canada meets Venezuela Friday in a Copa America quarterfinal matchup. Kickoff from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Canada vs. Venezuela odds, and make our best soccer bets, picks and predictions.
Canada secured 2nd place in Group A despite a minus-1 goal differential, as it posted 4 points with a 1-1-1 mark in the group stage. It suffered a 2-0 loss to table-topper Argentina back on June 20, but it rebounded with a 1-0 victory over Peru, and a scoreless draw with Chile.
Canada managed a 35.6% possession time against Argentina with 2 shots on target and 4 corners, while posting a 51.0% possession time against Peru with 2 shots on target and just 1 corner. Peru also had a red card at 59′, playing a man down the rest of the way. That freed up Jonathan David to score the only goal at 74′.
In the final group stage match, it possessed the ball 57.4% of the time against Chile, but it had just 3 shots on target despite 8 corners. In the 3 matches so far, Canada has a total of 38 fouls, or 12.7 per match.
Venezuela surprisingly topped Group A by collecting 3 wins and 9 points, well clear of Ecuador and Mexico, which ended up with 4 points.
La Vinotinto benefited from a red card by Ecuador captain Enner Valencia at 22′ in the opening match, erasing a 1-0 deficit to score 2 late goals courtesy of hockey’s equivalent of a power play the rest of the way.
In the 2nd match, Venezuela stunned Mexico 1-0, as Salomon Rondon knocked home a penalty kick at 57′. El Tri had a 61.2% possession advantage with 18 shots, including 5 on target. Mexico also had 7 corners, but it was unable to get one past keeper Rafael Romo, who made 5 saves.
The win over Mexico secured a spot in the quarters, but Venezuela wasn’t taking its foot off the gas, as it pasted Jamaica 3-0 to secure the top spot. It had a 52.3% possession advantage, while taking 17 shots, including 3 on target. Romo could have left his net, as Jamaica had just a single shot on target.
Rondon and Eduard Bello led the team with 2 goals, while Jhonder Cadiz and Eric Ramirez each netted 1 goal apiece, in case you’re interested in potential Anytime Goal Scorer props.
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Canada vs. Venezuela odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:59 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (3-way): Canada +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Venezuela +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Draw +210 (bet $100 to win $210)
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +142 | U: -174)
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Canada vs. Venezuela picks and predictions
Prediction
Venezuela 1, Canada 0
Moneyline (ML)
VENEZUELA (+145) has looked like a team of destiny in this Copa America, benefiting from undisciplined play from opponents at times, while forcing the issue and scoring timely goals at other times.
Regardless of whomever advances, Canada (+210) and La Vinotinto are each rather unlikely nations to be standing in the final 4 teams of this tournament.
Venezuela has a little more offensive firepower, however, and it should be able to negotiate its way through the Canadian defense for at least 1 goal.
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Over/Under (O/U)
Under 2.5 Goals (-174) is rather expensive, and there isn’t much value. However, playing the alternate line of UNDER 1.5 GOALS (+180) at plus-money is worth a roll of the dice.
Canada has scored just 1 single goal in this entire tournament, while keeping a clean sheet in its past 2 matches. This is a team which doesn’t score many goals, nor does it concede many.
Venezuela pounded Jamaica for 3 goals, but that was against a Reggae Boyz team which was already eliminated, playing rather disinterested. Canada will pose a much bigger challenge, especially defensively. The Under is the best play on the board.
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