URUGUAY have blown hot and cold at Copa America but should book a semi-final slot on Saturday night.
They topped Group C despite drawing 2-2 with a young Japanese side who are preparing for the Olympics.
That came after victory against Ecuador and finally a goal from Edinson Cavani handed them victory over holders Chile and first place.
Only Peru stand between them and the last four in Brazil and Cavani and Luis Suarez could tear apart a side embarrassed by Brazil in the group stages.
Peru were smashed 5-0 as Brazil coasted and only the presence of a weak Bolivia side meant they progressed as one of the best third-placed sides.
It's the end of the road now and I'm confident about Uruguay at reasonable price of 7-10 at BetVictor.
In fact if you look at the way they capitulated against Brazil you have to be tempted by Uruguay -1 at 21-10 with Paddy Power.
Looking at first scorers and punters will always focus on Suarez and Cavani – but which one should we go for.
I've always thought Cavani was the better striker and after Suarez's ridiculous penalty claim against Chile – when he wanted the keeper done for handling inside the box – I can't go for the Barcelona star.
So back Cavani at 7-2 with Paddy Power ahead of Suarez who is 13-5 with Betway. To score Cavani is 7-5 at Paddy Power with his strike pal 6-5.
In the Africa Cup of Nations there haven't been too many shocks and the trend should continue when Angola meet Mauritania.
Angola drew 1-1 with a powerful Tunisia side in their opener while Mauritania were smashed 4-1 by Mali. The Angolans aren't the most consistent but are worth a look at 22-25 with Marathonbet.
One of the ties of the group stage takes place as Cameroon tackle Ghana. Clarence Seedorf's side got off to a good start with a 2-0 win against Guinea Bissau while Ghana were held 2-2 by Benin.
Cameroon have class all over the pitch with the wonderfully named Yaya Banana netting the opener. The defender is 40-1 at Ladbrokes to again split open the defence.
Bookies can't separate the sides with bet365 going each of two but I can see Cameroon edging it. Prices are good enough to allow Cameroon draw no bet at evens with McBookie.
In the Gold Cup Mexico and USA have been the stars of the show but Canada have looked useful too and can book a semi-final place by beating Haiti in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Canada won two games by big scores then lost 3-1 to tournament favourites Mexico while Haiti won three out of three but against Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Bermuda.
I was going to say that's three sides Scotland would beat but then I remembered Costa Rica.
Scott Arfield is one of Canada's star men and I'm on them at 4-6 with bet365.
Mexico are 11-10 Gold Cup favourites and should have no problems against Costa Rica at 2-5 with William Hill and Ladbrokes.
Two of the semi-finalists are known and the other two places will be booked tonight with Germany facing Sweden and Italy up against Holland.
Germany have won all four matches to nil and are 8-11 with Coral to sink the Swedes.
Italy have been one of the surprises of the tournament and have a chance of shocking a Dutch side who rely on individual performers. The Italians have a poor h2h record but look big at 27-10 with Unibet so consider them +1 at 3-4 with bet365.
England weren't so successful at the European Under-21 Championship as they crashed out at the group stage with two defeats and a draw.
France and Romania took them apart but both nations lost in the semi-finals as Germany and Spain set up a final meeting tomorrow.
Spain have looked the best side throughout the tournament and I'm on them at 13-10 with bet365. Germany, who haven't yet kept a clean sheet, are 9-4 at Unibet with the draw 5-2 with Ladbrokes.
Recommended Bets
- Uruguay -1 (8pm)
- Cavani (Uruguay) to score
- Italy Women +1 (2pm)
- Spain U-21s (7.45pm)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
