Chile vs Uruguay
A Copa America group decider in the Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho as the holders meet the pretenders.
Chile, bidding for a record equalling three titles in a row, against Uruguay, who have so often missed out when it has mattered most in recent decades.
However, this is a clash between the last two countries to be crowned South America’s finest and that, in itself, should be enough to create Copa America highlights for SBOBET fans to savour.
Talking Points
Uruguay know they need a win to clinch top spot in their group, after being held by a spirited Japan side in their previous match.
Chile know a draw is enough for them after two wins out of two.
It is also one of the most eagerly anticipated clashes of the group stages with big names battling it out on both sides.
For Chile, look no further than ‘wonder boy’ Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal, who ply their trades for club giants Manchester United and Barcelona, while Uruguay possess Edinson Cavani (Paris St Germain) and Luis Suarez (also Barcelona).
Apart from being the 10th South American player with the most caps in history, Sanchez is also the 10th all-time top scorer among South American nations.
It’s not just attacking talent, of course.
La Roja have kept clean sheets in eight of their last 14 Copa America matches and are also unbeaten in their last seven America Cup games (won six, drawn one) – their longest unbeaten run in the competition since 1945.
They have Guillermo Maripán, a mainstay for the national team for well over a year now, at the back and holding midfielder Erick Pulgar.
Away from Cavani and Suarez, Uruguay also have a good defensive record with their fabled centre back partnership though Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez.
And then you can throw in Maxi Gómez, not quite as prolific for Celta Vigo in his second season as he was in his first campaign in Spain, but the top young striker in La Liga right now.
Only six players have scored at least 30 goals over the last two seasons.
Veteran coach Óscar Tabárez has been at the helm of the La Celeste for a second time since 2006 and the 72-year old has no desire in stepping down just yet – not with another Copa America title to aim for.
Tabárez has seen so much in a 40-year career in football management, and his vast experience and knowledge of his players will be vital if Uruguay – the 15-time Copa America champions – are to go all the way.
La Roja v La Celeste is a clash which throws up memories for particular fans and former players.
This should be no different.
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 44 victories to Chile’s 19 triumphs with 17 draws.
Chile, however, have won three of their last five 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 the met in two qualifiers for last summer’s World Cup, there was one win apiece.
Uruguay were 3-0 winners at home, thanks to goals from Diego Godin, Alvaro Pereira and Martin Caceres, while Chile recorded a 3-1 success on their own turf – Eduardo Vargas and Sanchez (two) sealing the victory after Cavani had opened the scoring for Uruguay.
They went onto reach the World Cup finals, Chile didn’t, before bowing out in the quarter-finals to eventual winners France.
Betting Tip
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Chile vs Uruguay | 1X2 draw @ 3.15 |
| June 25, 07:00 (GMT+8) |
Copa America betting odds give Uruguay the edge.
Priced 1X2 @ 2.13, and with Asian Handicap odds available -0.25 @ 1.80 and -0.50 @ 2.14, they are seen as the favourites to win this one.
Chile are slightly adrift with 1X2 @ 3.40 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.13 and 0.00 @ 2.66.
Goals are rarely difficult to come by when these two nations meet and options include over 2.50 goals @ 2.19, total goal 0-1 @ 2.83, total goal 2-3 @ 1.82 and total goal 4-6 @ 3.85.
Certainly, topping the group will, in theory, provide the winners of Group C with a more straightforward last eight tie.
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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