Copa America New Boys Haiti will play their first game of the prestigious Copa America competition, as they lock horns with two times tournament Champions Peru at the Century Fields in Seattle,WA.
Haiti got Copa America Centenario ticket after a 1-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago in the final play-offs. Pascal Millien, who came in as substitute produced a late strike 2nd half strike to ensure the Carribean club got a place in its first Copa America tournament.
Peru had previously won the tournament on two occasions, with 1975 being the second and the last time they tasted glory. Current coach Ricardo Gareca saddled the Peru team that took a bronze in the 2015 Copa America competition that went down in Chile.
Form Comparison
Both teams took part in friendly games ahead of their preparation for this competition. Peru got two international friendly victories in 5 days, after they defeated Trindad & Tobago and El-Salvador 4-0, 3-1 respectively.
However Peru Have failed to win in 3 competitive games. The South America side suffered 2 defeats, and salvaged a point in the first round of CONMEBOL World qualifiers games. One of these defeats was suffered from the hand of Brazil who happened to be in same group B with them in this competition.
Haiti on the other hand suffered a 3-1 defeat from the hands of Colombia. The Caribbean side has failed to win 4 straight competitive games, losing out in 3 of the World Cup qualifying fixtures in the first round.
Haiti: Key Players
Johnny Placide (Goal Keeper)
Age: 27
Int Caps: 27
Kervens Belfort (Striker)
Age: 24
Int Caps: 28
Goals: 11
Haiti Predicted Line-Up (4-3-3):
Placide- Alcenat, Genevois, Jerome, Jaggy- Marcelin, Hilaire, Lafrance- Belfort, Nazon, Guerrier
Peru: Key Players
Paolo Guerrero (Striker)
Age: 32
Int Caps: 67
Goals: 26
Christian Cueva (Midfielder)
Age: 24
Int Caps: 22
Goals: 2
Peru: Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1):
Cacede- Tapia, Ramos, Rodriguez, Trauco- Balbin, Yotun- Cueva, Benavete, Polo- Guerrero
Haiti vs Peru: Head To Head Stats
Both sides are meeting for the first time since the international friendly that took place between them in 2003.
Moreover in the only two meetings between them this Century, Peru had gathered more points, 4 compared to the Haiti’s 1.
Haiti have also played couple of South American country in recent month, with the most recent one been the Colombian whom they faced on Sunday. The Caribbean Island country’s encounters with South American teams hasn’t been a good one, as they had struggled with every side they come in contact with.
Haiti vs Peru: Prediction
Considering the two teams recent run of form, it will be sane to say they both have an equal chance of getting the maximum point.
However, regardless of the Ricardo Gareca young Peru side, the 2015 Copa Bronze winning team as in its possession bag of experience compared to their Saturday’s opponent. This could give Ricardo’s men more chance of a maximum point over Haiti come Sunday. Haiti will also want to make a big statement in their first Copa America appearance.
Therefore, I predict a victory for Peru, or minimum of both side sharing points (preferably a scored draw).
Full Time Score Prediction: Haiti 1-2 Peru
