The second quarter final of the Copa America sees the tournament hosts Brazil in action when they entertain Chile in Rio de Janeiro with a place in the semi-final of the competition against the winner of the earlier game up for grabs.
Brazil have looked the team to beat in this tournament so far and are hugely expected to make it through to the last four but there is danger in this Chile side which they hope will give them a fighting chance.
Brazil
Brazil won their opening three matches in the Copa America and did so while rotating their squad and making sure that everyone had game time ahead of the knockout stages while also ensuring that their key players were as fresh as they could be. They drew their final group match with a second string side out but they had lost since guaranteed that they had won the group so it is pretty pointless criticising that result.
There has been no weakness to this Brazil side so far in the competition regardless of the players they have utilised so they are going to be a very tough nut to crack. If there is a concern though it might be that their main players haven’t been on the pitch for a week so they could be caught a little cold, but unless you are Chilean I wouldn’t think that is anything to get too excited about. Brazil look very strong at the minute.
Chile
Chile have drawn the short straw here but they only have themselves to blame in a lot of ways. Their loss to Paraguay in their final group game pretty much condemned them into fourth spot in the group. They had already qualified by the time that match came around but it was pretty obvious that they would end up playing Brazil in the last eight should they have lost that match so I’m not convinced that defeat was down to just having already qualified.
The one thing Chile have going for them is the experience of having won this title twice in recent memory. A huge number of this squad were involved in those two title successes so they know how to come through a knockout match, and while they wouldn’t have wanted to face Brazil this early in the competition, they will be able to come up with a plan which gives them the best chance. They must stay tight at the back to have any hope though.
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Team News
Brazil are expected to recall their strongest XI which means that the likes of Neymar, Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus will start the game in attacking areas. Alisson Becker looks like he has fought off the competition from Ederson to begin between the sticks.
Chile are expected to be without Alexis Sanchez for this match. No actual timescale was put on his absence but there hasn’t been any fanfare to suggest he is nearing a return. Ben Brereton is expected to keep his place in the side as a result.
Betting
I’m expecting to see goals in this match. Brazil probably could defend and make it through but it isn’t recommended against a Chile side who have the technical ability to cause any team problems. At the other end when Brazil are on it there isn’t anyone who can contain them so if there is an early goal in this match then it should open up into something of a classic. I don’t think Brazil will want to chance penalties so they’ll look to win the game even at 1-1 which brings the chances of over 2.5 goals into play.
We will probably see the best of Brazil now that this extended tournament really begins but Chile don’t lay down for anyone without a fight so they’ll have a good go at this one. Chile games so far have been low scoring but that is because they have really just done enough to get the results they have wanted. That isn’t the case now so these two passionate footballing nations can serve up at least three goals in this one.
Tips
Back Over 2.5 goals for a 3/10 stake at 2.02 with Bet365
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