Prediction: Chile vs Argentina

Verdict: Argentina win

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to open their Group A adventure with back-to-back Group A victories, Argentina will meet Chile at the MetLife Stadium in the early hours of Wednesday.

Chile

Starting with Chile, missing out on what they had billed as a potential opportunity over the weekend as they eventually opened their Copa America adventure with a 0-0 stalemate against Peru, Ricardo Gareca’s men will be bracing themselves for a monumental challenge in the early hours of Wednesday. Although La Roja might have signed off their pre-tournament preparations with a routine 3-0 victory against Paraguay, the Reds have struggled to find any real stability over recent times. Despite having their sights set on punching a Copa America knockout stage ticket this summer, Chile have mustered just a trio of wins from any of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions. Suffering a 2-1 defeat when they last met the reigning world champions back in January 2022, Gareca’s side are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide underdog here.

Team News

While it might have already been confirmed that Alexis Sanchez will be leaving Italian champions Inter Milan this summer, the 35-year-old will spearhead Chile’s attack at the MetLife Stadium and earn a 165th international cap. Despite now being 41, ex-Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will start between the sticks.

Bagging a brace against Paraguay in a friendly showdown on June 12th, CSKA Moscow star Victor Davila will join Sanchez in the final third. 20-year-old Dario Osorio could be handed a full recall and replace Club America’s Diego Alfonso Valdes.

Argentina

As for Argentina, making real history out in Qatar 18 months ago as they got their hands on a first World Cup crown since 1986, the South American icons are in the midst of an iconic purple patch. Only continuing to receive a string of praise from across the globe, Lionel Scaloni’s men are pencilled in as a real title contender this summer. Getting their Copa America campaign underway last week with a routine 2-1 victory against Canada, La Albiceleste have now won 20 of their previous 21 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to November 2022. With their record-breaking flurry underlined by a stunning 1-0 win against arch-rivals Brazil during November’s international break, Argentina will certainly be relishing a trip to the MetLife Stadium in the early hours of Wednesday.

Team News

While eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi might not have opened his Copa America account against Canada last week, the former Barcelona icon will lead out Argentina on Wednesday and earn a 184th international cap here. Getting his hands on a second Premier League crown with Manchester City last season, Julian Alvarez will join Messi in the final third.

Making 33 Premier League appearances after joining English giants Liverpool last summer, Alexis Mac Allister will be partnered with Leandro Paredes at the heart of Scaloni’s midfield. Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez will start between the sticks at the MetLife Stadium.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Chile and Argentina last met while in World Cup qualifying action back in January 2022, La Albiceleste collected a 2-1 victory.
• The reigning world champions have lost just one of their previous nine meetings against La Roja.
• Chile have recorded just a trio of victories from any of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions.
• Continuing on from their iconic World Cup success out in Qatar 18 months ago, Argentina have won 20 of their previous 21 appearances across all formats.
• Scaloni’s men have conceded just two goals in almost 550 minutes of action.

Conclusion

Opening their Copa America campaign with a 2-0 victory against Canada last week, Argentina should be smelling the chance to make another statement of intent here. Only continuing on an astonishing romp since their World Cup success out in Qatar 18 months ago, La Albiceleste have now won 20 of their previous 21 appearances across all competitions. Likewise, landing a 2-1 win when they last met Chile back in January 2022, we are expecting a similar outcome in the early hours of Wednesday.

Verdict: Argentina win 

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Dachbet