In the first quarter-final of Copa America, leading tournament favourite and world #1 Argentina squares off against an Ecuador team that fought tooth and nail to secure their place here. And while they enter the game as underdogs any sort of underestimation could prove fatal for Argentina.
Argentina Team News
With a perfect record in the tournament and no goals conceded thus far, Argentina look like firm favourites to win Copa America. Their impressive form speaks volumes, but they are also on the so-called ”easy path”. Their road to the final seems easy, and Argentina will avoid the likes of Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia up until the final, should they reach it. These three teams are the other favourites to win the competition and they have been stacked to play against one another before the final. But even with the fortunate draw Lionel Scaloni’s team won their last 8 games straight, keeping a clean sheet in 6, meaning that Argentina might have the fortune of good luck and solid form.
Ecuador Team News
Ecuador managed to surprise some by claiming the second spot in group B. While they had the fortune of an inconsistent and riddled-with-issues Mexican team, Ecuador managed to hold them to a draw in the final group stage fixture, thus ensuring their quarter-final berth even if the goal difference was ultimately the deciding factor. It should be noted that La Tri lost their opening fixture to Venezuela, who were the best team in that group, but that defeat is the only one for the team in their last 5 games. Ecuador was also knocked out by none other than Argentina at the same stage in the previous Copa America.
Head-to-Head-Games
Ecuador do not have a good record against Argentina as the latter has won 4 of their last 5 outings with them. Moreover, La Tri has faced Argentina quite a lot in Copa America, more than any other team in fact, but their record is a poor one as they have not tasted victory.
Argentina – Ecuador Betting Prediction
Argentina are the clear favourites here and my pick will be for a win of theirs. Lionel Scaloni’s team is without a doubt the better one and has a perfect statistic to back their Copa America claims – 3 straight wins and no conceded goals. Even if Argentina has not been as dominant as some might have expected, they have still managed to win and are now placed on the far easier path to the final, essentially avoiding any other favourite for the trophy up until the final. This is an opportunity that will not be missed. A clear road to the final with a good chance of winning silverware might be the best sending-off to Lionel Messi.
Betting Tip: Argentina To Win
Bookmaker: Sportsbet.io
Odds: 1.46
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