As you will already know if you have been following our articles at Bonus Code Poker for a short while, there are two major soccer tournaments taking place at the moment, the Euros across Europe and the Copa America which is being held in Brazil.
Last weekend saw the quarterfinals of these two competitions held and we now know which four teams in each competition have made it through to the semi finals, one step away from a shot at winning the title.
Interest in the Euros is especially great across Europe with several big teams still left in the tournament, including England who could play the semi final and final at their home stadium of Wembley.
However, Italy, Spain and Denmark will be hoping that they can end the dreams of Gareth Southgate and his team of a first European Championship title and their first major international trophy since 1966.
Brazil fans will be hoping their team can achieve back-to-back successes in the Copa America as the hosts made it through to the semi-finals. Their archrivals Argentina though are in the other semi final with the enticing prospect of the two meeting in the final now a distinct possibility.
However, Peru and Colombia will be hoping that they can throw a spanner in the works and surprise many by making the final themselves.
If you fancy a bet on either tournament, then bet365 Sport offers a wide range of bets on both
the Euros and the Copa. Check out the soccer section and each game for a full list of all the betting markets pre-game and remember you can enjoy a wide range of markets available on each game from kick off with the site’s excellent In Play betting service.
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Remember too that if you are based in North America, you can enjoy plenty of great soccer betting with BetRivers. The site operates across several states in the U.S. which means millions of people can take advantage of some great soccer markets from all over the world, throughout the calendar year.
Now you know where to place your bets, the question now is what the bets to place on each of the four semi finals are taking place this week. We are going to start our preview of each tournament’s semi final ties with a quick recap of the quarterfinal results, before we bring you our tips for each game.
Given that the Copa America semis start at midnight tonight, we will begin with this tournament.
Copa America Quarterfinal Results
- Peru 3-3 Paraguay (Peru win 4-3 on penalties)
- Brazil 1-0 Chile
- Uruguay 0-0 Colombia (Colombia win 4-2 on penalties)
- Argentina 3-0 Ecuador
Copa America 2021 Semi Final Preview And Tips
Brazil v Peru
- Date – Tuesday 6th July
- Time – 12.00am Kick Off
- Venue – Olympic Stadium
- Historic Record – Brazil 34 Wins, Peru 5 Wins, 9 Draws
As you would expect with this fixture, Brazil hold the advantage a great deal in head to head games and they have already beaten Peru 4-0 in this year’s tournament in the group stage, as well as beating Peru 5-0 and 3-1 in the last Copa America, the latter scoreline coming in the final itself.
Brazil will be without Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus who was given a straight red card during the win over Chile in the quarter final. The scorer of that decisive goal in that game, Lucas Paqueta, may get the job of replacing him, or it could be a chance for Everton Soares to get a game.
Peru will also have a player absent through injury as Andre Carrillo was sent off late in the game before his team’s penalty success over Paraguay. As one of their main creative players, his absence will be keenly felt by a Peruvian team that is not overly embellished with attacking flair and talent.
A look at the squads and the form of both teams coming into the tournament reveals that this should be Brazil’s game to lose and with home advantage, there is no way I can see that happening. Instead, I think this will be another comfortable win for the host nation.
Tip – Brazil to win 3-0 – 11/2
Argentina v Colombia
- Date: Wednesday 7th July
- Time: 2am Kick Off
- Venue: Estadio Nacional de Brasilia
- Historic Record – Argentina 23 Wins, Colombia 9 Wins, 8 Draws
Colombia defeated Uruguay on penalties to reach the semifinals despite winning just one game in the tournament so far and scoring just three goals in six games, one of those a penalty. This Colombian squad is talented individually but they lack the strength in depth surrounding those key players to make a big difference in these key games.
The opposite is true of Argentina who have masses of strength in depth, both in attack and defence and who have looked very sharp, especially in their last two games where they have scored seven goals in total and looked the best attacking team in the tournament.
Lionel Messi has been a massive part of that in terms of scoring and creating goals and if he continues his excellent form in this tournament then Argentina should have few problems in sweeping Colombia aside and making it into the final, where a mouth-watering game against Brazil seems to lie in wait.
Colombia’s best chance seems to be to try and keep a clean sheet and take the game to penalties. They did that well against Uruguay but I think this Argentina team has too much attacking threat for that to happen two games in a row.
Tip – Argentina to win 3-1 (16/1)
Euro 2020 Quarterfinal Results
- Switzerland 1-1 Spain (Spain win 3-1 on penalties)
- Belgium 1-2 Italy
- Czech Republic 1-2 Denmark
- Ukraine 0-4 England
Euro 2020 Semi Final Preview & Tips
Spain v Italy
- Date: Tuesday 6th July
- Time: 8pm Kick Off
- Venue: Wembley Stadium
- Historic Record – Spain 12 Wins, Italy 9 Wins, 12 Draws
Having hit five goals against Slovakia in their final group game and then Croatia in the Round of 16, Spain struggled against Switzerland in the last third and the Swiss took advantage of some poor Spanish defending to earn a draw and force the game to penalties, where Spain won due to four Swiss players missing their penalties.
However, I think the Spanish need to up their game several gears if they are to stand a chance against an Italian side who have been one of the star performers of the competition and who are now on a run of a record 33-games unbeaten under their manager Roberto Mancini.
Italy will be wary of their recent record against Spain, as they have not beaten the Spaniards that often, however it is also fair to say that this Spain team has not faced this Italy team, with their most recent match up being in 2017. Both teams are very different to those that played in that game (which Spain won 3-0).
That said, based on performances in this tournament, Italy are the clear pick for me. Defensively they are solid, they are excellent in midfield and have great invention and finishing ability in attack and most importantly, they have been consistent. As such, I am backing Italy to reach the final here.
Tip – Italy to win 1-0 (7/1)
Denmark v England
- Date: Wednesday 7th July
- Time: 8pm Kick Off
- Venue: Wembley Stadium
- Historic Record – England 12 Wins, Denmark 4 Wins, 5 Draws
Only Spain in 2012 kept five clean sheets in a European Championship campaign and they did that over seven games. England have kept five clean sheets in five games and that defensive solidity has been the cornerstone for Gareth Southgate’s team to move through the competition into the semifinals.
There they will face a Denmark team who bounced back from losing their opening two games and the shock loss of key man Christian Eriksen due to a heart condition, to progress at the expense of Russia, Wales and the Czech Republic. It is not just the wins, but the manner of those wins that has been so impressive.
Denmark can also point to good recent form over England, including a 1-0 win at Wembley back in 2019 in the Nations League in the last game played between the two teams. So England fans should not be under any illusions as to how difficult this task will be.
That said, with home advantage and after the huge wins over Germany and the Ukraine, England seem to have that self-belief that they have lacked for so long and as such, I think they will come through this one to reach the final.
Tip – England to win 2-1 (9/1)
