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Uruguay vs Colombia Preview, Prediction, Odds, Betting Tips

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  • Date and Time: July 11, 01:00 GMT+1
  • Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC, USA


Odds via 22bet
Uruguay vs Colombia July 10, 01:00 GMT+1
Uruguay odds 2.84
Colombia odds 2.98
Draw 2.73
Over\Under Total 2,5: 2.56/1.42

Uruguay vs Colombia Preview

Uruguay

In May 2023, Marcelo Bielsa took charge of the Uruguay national team, marking a significant turning point. Bielsa brought with him an attacking style of play, a departure from the defensive approach that had been the hallmark of the team for many years.

Uruguay faced disappointment at the last World Cup in 2022, failing to advance from the group stage and missing out on progressing past South Korea. The coach at the time, Diego Alonso, received heavy criticism for his overly defensive tactics, resulting in his dismissal.

With Bielsa in charge, Uruguay underwent a dramatic transformation. They adopted a high-pressing strategy with elements of man-to-man pressure, leading to a more aggressive and proactive attacking style.

During the qualification matches for the 2026 World Cup, Uruguay suffered a loss to Ecuador and drew with Colombia. However, they achieved a significant victory by defeating Brazil at home (2-1) and Argentina away (2-0), positioning themselves in second place with 12 matches remaining.

In the Copa America 2024, Uruguay has secured victories in all matches so far, including a thrilling penalty shootout win against Brazil.

Under Bielsa’s leadership, Uruguay has been known for their unpredictable and adaptable attacking tactics, capable of adjusting based on their opponents’ weaknesses.

They employ a mix of short passing combinations and long vertical and diagonal passes, making it challenging for opponents to defend against their dynamic playing style.

Uruguay often utilizes a 4-1-4-1 defensive formation with personalized man-to-man marking against their opponents. While this approach effectively hinders opponents from progressing the ball, it also leaves the flanks vulnerable due to the fullbacks’ too-aggressive pressing, allowing opponents to create dangerous chances.

Recent Form WWWWW
Key Players to Watch Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte
Team Strengths Powerful pressing and a variety of fast attacks.
Team Weaknesses Vulnerable defense.

Colombia

Colombia narrowly missed qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, falling just three points short. In the previous Copa America in 2021, Colombia secured only one win in regulation time and another through a penalty shootout.

The team experienced an unexpected dip in results but has since recovered. Colombia is currently on a 27-match unbeaten streak and sits in third place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.

This turnaround is credited to Nestor Lorenzo, who took charge of the team in June 2022 and has yet to suffer a defeat with Colombia.

One of his most significant achievements is the outstanding performance of James Rodríguez, who has been given the freedom to express himself on the pitch.

Now, he is undoubtedly the team’s finest and arguably the best player at the Copa America 2024. James made five assists and scored one goal, showcasing his exceptional ability to create opportunities and score from various positions on the field.

In the current tournament, Colombia secured convincing victories against Costa Rica, Paraguay, and Panama and managed a draw with Brazil.

The team heavily relies on wing attacks, particularly on the left flank where Luis Díaz can effectively escalate the game despite occasional inconsistencies.

Defensively, Colombia sometimes struggles to maintain a high defensive line, and the attacking players are not always effective in tracking back to support the defense.

Recent Form WDWWW
Key Players to Watch James Rodríguez
Team Strengths Powerful pressing and taking free kicks.
Team Weaknesses Vulnerable high line of defense.

Uruguay vs Colombia Head-to-Head Statistics

Uruguay and Colombia have faced each other four times in the past four years. In 2020, Uruguay won 3-0 as the visiting team. Since then, the teams have played to three consecutive draws.

Their most recent encounter, on 12 October 2023 in Colombia, was particularly noteworthy as both coaches, Marcelo Bielsa and Nestor Lorenzo, have managed both the Uruguay and Colombia teams. The match was highly entertaining and ultimately ended in a 2-2 draw.

Uruguay initiated numerous direct attacks with passes that bypassed the high line of Colombian defenders, resulting in two goals. On the other hand, the Colombians effectively manipulated the Uruguayan defense by drawing the flank defenders into central positions. Colombia made excellent use of the space on the flanks, also scoring two goals.

Uruguay vs Colombia Player Focus

James Rodríguez is a key player for Colombia and he should expect strong pressure from Uruguay’s defensive midfielders Manuel Ugarte and Federico Valverde. If these two manage to neutralize James, it will be much harder for Colombia to create dangerous chances.

It’s difficult to single out one offensive player for Uruguay, as Bielsa’s team relies primarily on collective teamwork. However, we should highlight Darwin Núñez, whose performance may determine the success of Uruguay’s attacks in the final third.

Uruguay vs Colombia Preview, Tactical Analysis

The main question is how will the teams overcome the other’s high press. In their last encounter, both teams created several chances through effective pressing and rapid transitions.

Uruguay used a mix of long balls and short passing combinations to escape the press. The Colombians successfully outmaneuvered the Uruguayan man-marking through active positional changes and quick, incisive passes.

Given Uruguay’s tactical unpredictability under Bielsa, it’s challenging to anticipate Bielsa’s strategy to exploit Colombia’s weaknesses. It is also interesting to see whether Nestor Lorenzo’s team will actively press or opt to sit deeper and defend in their half of the field.

Uruguay vs Colombia Prediction

  • Football Pick: 2X (Columbia will not lose)
  • Odds: 1.46 (22Bet)
  • Score prediction: Uruguay 1-1 Colombia

Colombia is on an unbeaten streak of 27 matches, and it seems unlikely they will lose their next match.

Uruguay has suffered an injury to Ronald Araújo, a key player in the center of defense, and he will be replaced by José María Giménez, who has not been performing at his previous high level due to frequent injuries.