Argentina vs Bolivia
The group stage of the Copa America ends with a dead rubber between Argentina and Bolivia in Seattle in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Both sides have had different campaigns up until now hence why this is a dead rubber.
Argentina are guaranteed a place in the quarter final and need just a draw from this match to secure a quarter final with Venezuela by virtue of winning the group. Bolivia have lost their two matches so far and play solely for pride here.
Argentina have looked very strong in this tournament and we got to see the full value of the carnage they can cause in a 20 minute spell when they played Panama in their previous match. When you think that Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi haven’t even started a game yet the improvement Argentina still have to come is daunting.
If there is a concern going forward it could come in their defence. Panama got into good areas against them before they panicked and a more established side could well punish them if they are afforded the same luxury.
In a way Bolivia can class themselves unlucky to have been knocked out of the tournament already given that the penalty they conceded deep into injury time against Chile was one of the harshest ones you’ll ever see but in truth they’ve offered very little and ultimately have got what they have deserved no matter how unluckily it came around.
Hopefully from a neutrals point of view now that they are out Bolivia give this a really good go and try and get the scalp of Argentina rather than just staying tight and looking to avoid a bit of a tonking. They’re going home anyway but hopefully they go with a fight.
Team News
It is expected that Lionel Messi will once again begin from the bench as he tries to get up to fitness after a niggle which kept him out of the opening match. Angel di Maria is unlikely to play having been injured in the previous game against Panama. Sergio Aguero could get a starting spot. Those on a booking may be rested too.
It remains to be seen what changes Bolivia make if they make any at all. They might look at getting those who haven’t played into the side to give them a game although this is risky opposition to employ those tactics against.
Head to Head
Argentina have won 26 of the 37 matches these two have played against each other. Bolivia have six wins to their name with five of the games ending all square. Argentina have won the last three matches by scorelines of 5-0, 7-0 and 2-0.
Betting
No matter who they put out I find it hard to believe Argentina won’t win this game. The last three meetings between these two have all come in the last 12 months and they have all been emphatic wins for Argentina and even if they make a couple of changes I expect them to be far too good once again.
Bolivia were opened up time and time again by Panama in the opening match and if Argentina want to go full tilt this could get nasty but there is always the chance they might save themselves a little bit so I’ll go with them to win to nil which at least covers a 1-0 or 2-0 scoreline for us.
Tips
WON – Back Argentina to win to nil for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Ladbrokes
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