Uruguay vs. Colombia Men: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

There's a grudge match to look out for when Uruguay hosts Colombia in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Friday.

Their last match at the Copa America ended in controversy, with several Uruguay players receiving suspensions after clashing with Colombian fans in the aftermath of Los Cafeteros' 1-0 semifinal win.

Colombia eventually lost in the final in extra-time to Lionel Messi and Argentina but got revenge by beating Lionel Scaloni's side 2-1 in September. They also drew 1-1 against Peru over that international break, and they lost to Bolivia 1-0 and beat Chile 4-0 during the October break.

Colombia sits second in the CONMEBOL table, three points ahead of third-placed Uruguay, who have been underwhelming as they have failed to win their six matches since their Copa America elimination, beating only Canada on penalties in the third-place playoff. They most recently drew 0-0 against Ecuador.

There still seems to be uncertainty from within their roster towards coach Marcelo Bielsa due to his famously exacting and intense tactical approach.

With Colombia three points ahead of Uruguay in the table, the host team at the Estadio Centenario may struggle to get the victory they need to close as Argentina's closest rivals.

Uruguay vs. Colombia betting picks and predictions

Draw (+220)

Ties have been a real issue for Uruguay. That's been the outcome in five of their last six, the outlier being the defeat in Lima.

Throughout his career, Bielsa's intense style has yielded mixed results at international level with Argentina and Chile and his intensity can be at odds with the more relaxed, short-term approach that tends to yield success at the international level, even with him now 18 months into the role.

His fellow Argentinean coach Nestor Lorenzo seems to have found a nice mix with Colombia and has a 70 percent win rate in the job following the 4-0 win over Chile in Barranquilla. He's plotting to lead his team to Colombia's first victory in Uruguay this century.

While Bielsa is committed to his philosophy, Lorenzo showed at the Copa America that he can tweak his preferred attacking tactics when he needs to and could encourage his side to be more defensive in Montevideo.

The three meetings before July's win for Colombia in Charlotte all ended in ties and considering Uruguay's recent record, and that the visitors' situation in the table means a draw will work for them, another share of the points looks a reasonable pick.

Darwin Nunez anytime goalscorer (+187)

That doesn't mean there won't be chances, and Luis Suarez's retirement means La Celeste are now leaning on Darwin Nunez for goals.

The Liverpool man looks more composed under new head coach Arne Slot this season and may feel he still owes his country after receiving a five-match ban for his part in July's post-semifinal melee.

He returned last month but couldn't help Bielsa's side as they extended their run without a goal to four matches.

The 25-year-old did, however, score against Aston Villa in Liverpool's most recent Premier League game and was on target in last year's 2-2 draw between these two rivals.

Luis Diaz anytime goalscorer (+333)

Another Liverpool player, Luis Diaz, failed to score against Villa but was on target for his country against Peru in September and Chile in October.

With Bielsa often setting his team up to push forward and press the opposition, Diaz's talent for running in behind means he could get one-on-one chances.

Diaz is another who seems to be enjoying his soccer under Slot, with him and Nunez often switching roles - the Uruguayan pulling to the left from a central position and vice-versa.

Running from left to right across the defensive line against right-back Nahitan Nandez - who has played most of his career in midfield - with newly-fit Ronald Araujo and slightly out-of-form Jose Gimenez backing him up at center back means Diaz can spark the Colombia attack.

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Uruguay vs. Colombia odds

Uruguay	+120
Tie	+220
Colombia	+250

Uruguay vs. Colombia player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Darwin Nunez (Uruguay)	+187
Luis Diaz (Colombia)	+333
Jhon Duran (Colombia)	+375
James Rodriguez (Colombia)	+500
Facundo Pellestri (Uruguay)	+550
Federico Valverde (Uruguay)	+550

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.