Hosts Brazil will look to build on their positive start to the Copa America when they face Peru in Rio de Janeiro in the early hours of Friday morning, as this tie sees the sides who are top and bottom of the standings in World Cup qualifying go head-to-head.
Tite’s side made the perfect start to continue a brilliant run of form when they comfortably saw off Venezuela 3-0 on the opening day, as that result saw them extend their winning run to eight matches, seven of which have seen them keep a clean sheet. They have turned a corner since a blip in 2019 saw them go five games without a win, and they are doing so in a very attacking manner, scoring 22 goals in that run of eight wins a row.
A win against Ecuador last week saw Peru end a torrid run of eight games without a win, but with all four of their group games being played across just nine days, they may opt to prioritise other matches in the group, as four of the five sides in both groups will progress. Their record against Brazil speaks volumes too, in 48 meetings they have won just five.
Since the hefty defeats which saw their 2014 World Cup campaign on home soil unravel against Germany and the Netherlands, Brazil are unbeaten in all home matches, winning 21 and drawing three of their last 24. With the Selecao in wonderful goalscoring form too, our tip is for them to beat Peru with a (-2) handicap here, available at odds of 2/1.