Uruguay vs Chile
Ahead of this Copa America clash in the Arena Pantanal in Brazil, would you believe it if I told you that Uruguay have not scored or won in their past four outings, a run stretching back to last November?
This is the nation ranked the ninth best international team in the world and whose attack is spearheaded by the likes of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
So, it is with some confidence that I say I do not expect that run to continue much longer as they prepare to take on Chile in Group B.
Talking Points
It’s been 10 years since Oscar Washington Tabárez’s boys clinched Copa America success with the long-serving boss leading them to glory.
While another tournament triumph is their aim again, an immediate
start would be victory, indeed their first point in the 2021 tournament.
That is because they were beaten in their first game of the competition by long-time South American rivals, Argentina, thanks to a winner from Guido Rodriguez.
Indeed, La Celeste have only won twice in their last seven matches and are also in a perilous spot in the CONMEBOL standings as they failed to capitalise on back-to-back defeats from Ecuador.
Put that to one side though as they have class in many areas right through from Cavani to Diego Godin and that should mean they don’t stay on the back foot too long.
Standing in their way is a nation which has made a habit of doing well in this competition over the past decade.
With new coach Martín Lasarte at the helm since February, expectations remain high for La Roja who have claimed Copa glory twice in the past six years (2015 and 2016 victories were both achieved in penalty shoot-outs against Argentina).
They have already created some Copa America highlights in the past week too.
Chile have four points from their opening two matches after Blackburn’s Ben Brereton scored the winner on his first start for his national team as they beat Bolivia.
Brereton was actually born in Stoke-On-Trent and played for England at youth level before opting to represent Chile’s senior team. He is eligible to play for La Roja as his mother was born there.
That followed up a 1-1 draw with Argentina, a game in which they responded well to falling behind and also had to overcome the absence of Alexis Sanchez.
The Inter Milan winger, who leads Chile with 138 international caps and 46 goals, suffered a serious foot injury during practice which meant he will be sidelined for the rest of the group stage matches.
So, it’s Uruguay v Chile and two nations who, more than most, love to upset the established big-hitters of Brazil and Argentina.
This time the pressure is all on Uruguay and I think they will handle it well.
History
Twice World Champions (1930 and 1950), it is perhaps no surprise that Uruguay have enjoyed far and away the better head-to-head record.
In fact, they won 15 of their first 16 meetings between 1910 and 1942.
Overall, La Celeste have 47 victories to Chile’s 19 triumphs with 17 draws.
Chile, however, have won three of their last seven clashes, including in the 2015 tournament when Mauricio Isla scored a quarter-final winner en route to their overall success.
They also met in the 1999 and 2011 Copa America tournaments, both matches ending 1-1; the former was a semi-final which La Celeste won on penalties.
When they met in a World Cup qualifier last autumn, a last minute Maxi Gomes goal gave Uruguay a 2-1 success.
Uruguay reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup three years ago before bowing out in the quarter-finals to eventual winners France.
Their most recent Copa America meeting two summers ago saw Edinson Cavani net the only goal eight minutes from time in a Group victory for Uruguay.
Betting Tip
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Uruguay vs Chile | Uruguay Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.20 |
| June 22, 05:00 (GMT+8) |
This is a close call to make and the Sbotop Copa America betting odds agree.
Uruguay have the edge and are available to back with 1X2 odds @ 2.20 or First Half 1X2 @ 2.82.
Chile are a bit further adrift 1X2 @ 3.00 or First Half 1X2 @ 4.30.
The draw certainly has an attractive potential pay out @ 3.20.
It is similar with the Asian Handicap odds with Uruguay priced -0.50 @ 2.20 and First Half -0.25 @ 2.28.
For Chile to win a second time in three Copa America matches, you can find odds of +0.25 @ 2.00 and First Half 0.00 @ 2.42.
A repeat of their last clash two years ago – correct score 1-0 – is available @ 6.20 with an identical Chile success priced @ 9.00.
I do think there will be few goals in this and that is reflected in an array of odds including over 2.25 goals @ 1.96, total goal 0-1 @ 2.80 and 2-3 @ 1.91.
There is little to choose between the nations but Uruguay certainly need the victory more and I think they will edge it.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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