Canada vs. Venezuela: Copa America Quarterfinal Odds, Prediction

After opening the 2024 Copa America with a 2-0 loss against Argentina, Canada clinched second in Group A with a 1-0 win against Peru and a scoreless draw against Chile. Venezuela crusied to top spot in Group B with three wins against Ecuador (2-1), Mexico (1-0) and Jamaica (3-0).

Venezuela is a +155 to win in regular time on the Copa America odds, while Canada is +190 and a tie at the end of regular time is +210.

Canada vs. Venezuela Betting Odds

These teams have met just twice all-time, with both matches ending in a draw.

The Canadians are only the third nation ever to advance to the knockout stage of their first-ever Copa America, joining Mexico and Honduras, who both reached the semi’s of their first Copa America. Venezuela has reached the quarters in three of the last five Copa’s, including a fourth-place finish in 2011.

Canada, No. 48 in the FIFA World Rankings, enters the knockout stage at +4000 to win the tournament on the Copa America futures board, while 54th ranked Venezuela is +2500.

If you’re looking for a prop of the match, I’m taking David Bastl’s advice (video above) and going with Under 0.5 goals scored in the first half at +145. Canada has played five straight scoreless first halves dating beyond the tournament, while Venezuela had scoreless first halves in two of three group stage matches.

Canada

Since dropping a 4-0 decision against the Netherlands on June 6, Canada has looked like a tougher team with three clean sheets in their last four competitive matches. The concern at the moment is Canada’s lack of offence. Les Rouges haven’t scored a first-half goal all year, although they also haven’t conceded a goal in the opening 45 minutes in eight straight matches. Jonathan David is Canada’s lone goal scorer in the tournament and he is a +340 anytime scorer on Friday. David’s 19 goals with Ligue 1 club Lille was second only to Kylian Mbappe last season.

The big news coming out of Canada’s camp is the broken tibia suffered by Tajon Buchanan during training. It’s a big loss for the Canadians as the Inter Milan winger is an important piece of the offensive attack. One player set to return to the lineup is Ismael Kone, who sat out the final group stage match having been on a yellow card.

Venezuela

Venezuela is poised to be the underdog story of the Copa America after winning their three group stage matches for the first time at this tournament. Structure and poise on the back end have been key as they have surrendered just one goal over their last four competitive matches. Venezuela’s competitiveness has been evident long before this tournament. Since losing 3-1 to Mexico in 2019, La Vinotinto are unbeaten in eight straight matches against CONCACAF opponents.

Venezuela will have to do without Darwin Machis on Friday after the winger received a second booking on matchday three. Meanwhile, Nahuel Ferraresi and Miguel Navarro should return to the starting XI after being held out against Jamaica because they each had a yellow card.