Canada vs Uruguay Prediction and Betting Tips: Best bets for Copa America third-place play-off

The Copa America third place play-off might not attract massive interest from around the globe, but there will be plenty of interested spectators from a corner of West Yorkshire as two former Leeds managers, Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa and Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, attempt to guide their teams to a winning finish in the tournament.

Getting motivated for the game could be more of a challenge for Uruguay, who had high expectations of at least reaching the final.

La Celeste were chasing a record 16th South American title, but their challenge came to an end with a bad-tempered 1-0 loss to Colombia which sparked post-match mayhem between several Uruguayan players and Colombian fans.

There was a much more sober reaction from Canadian players after they were edged aside 2-0 by Argentina in the first semi-final

Canada were disappointed to be knocked out, but they can look back with pride after reaching the final four in their first-ever Copa America campaign.

Canada have given an excellent account of themselves at their first Copa America and they can finish on a high by getting the better of Uruguay at the Bank of America Stadium.

Preparing for third place play-offs can be tough due to the disappointment associated with exiting a major tournament. But Canada’s loss to Argentina was widely expected and it unlikely to have massively dampened the enthusiasm within the camp, while Uruguay’s exit to Colombia was very different.

La Celeste lost the match despite playing the entire second half against ten men and there were ugly scenes after the match concluded with Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez seen to be brawling in the stands with Colombian supporters.

The investigation into the affair does not take place until next week, but it is anyone’s guess as to the mental state of Nunez and several other Uruguayan players.

Uruguay played some excellent football earlier in the tournament but they may not be fully switched on this weekend and are worth opposing.

Canada midfielder Stephen Eustaquio has been one of their most consistent performers over the last few weeks, but he was booked in the semi-final loss to Argentina and looks a solid wager to be carded against Uruguay.

Eustaquio enjoys the physical side of the game and has committed 12 fouls, which is the joint-fourth highest at the tournament.

The 27-year-old will not be shirking any 50-50’s at the weekend and he looks a strong contender to enter Venezuelan referee Alexis Herrera’s notebook.

Canada’s all-time top scorer Cyle Larin has started all five games without scoring, but he can open his Copa America account with a goal in the third place play-off.

Since the start of the tournament Larin has registered seven shots (the highest of any Canadian player) and six of them have been from inside the penalty area.

The 29-year-old will be eager to leave his mark on the competition and he looks overpriced to find the net.