Youthful USA side may struggle to contain Colombia

Friendly 12.30am Thursday night

Colombia have quickly reformed after their World Cup despair and ought to have too much in hand for the United States in Florida on Thursday.

Temporary Colombia head coach Arturo Reyes enjoyed a perfectly acceptable start to his tenure last month with a 2-1 win against Venezuela and a 0-0 draw against Argentina. Both games were in the US.

Crucially, most of his big guns have flown across from Europe for their October double-header and Reyes, who has eyes only on doing prep work for next year’s Copa America, is bound to lean heavily on the likes of Juan Cuadrado, Davinson Sanchez, James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao.

In contrast, the States – also under caretaker stewardship in the shape of Dave Sarachan – can’t summon their one world-class act, Christian Pulisic, and the hosts have gone the other way, looking at youth.

Sixteen of the 23 players drafted by Sarachan have fewer than ten caps and three defenders have none at all.

They snapped a three-game winless run by beating Mexico, who were down to ten men when the only goal was scored, but there isn’t a great deal to get excited about with this group.

If Colombia put in a half-decent display they should win this with something in hand.

Recommendation
Colombia
1pt 10-11 bet365, Betway, Sky Bet

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