Prediction: Ecuador vs Chile

Verdict: Chile win.

Best odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Bet365

Ecuador and Chile are set to face each other in the second round of the 2019 Copa America Group C at the Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova stadium in Salvador, Brazil, and the two teams will enter the contest from two very different perspectives.

Ecuador

The side led by Hernan Dario Gomez received a proper thrashing at the hands of Uruguay in the opening round, with Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez and the rest proving too much for them. They sit bottom of the table therefore, with no points to their name and strong pressure on their backs to get something in this game if they want to think about progressing further.

Ecuador are now on a five-game winless streak under Gomez, but the head coach has received backing from the EFA (Ecuadorian Football Association) who believe the crisis cannot be put down to his work.

Team News

Gomez won’t be able to count on Jose Quinteros. The versatile defender was sent off directly after only 24 minutes against Uruguay. Meanwhile, Ecuador’s arguably biggest stars, brothers Antonio and Ener Valencia are likely to be in the starting XI.

Chile

The defending Copa champions comprehensively beat Japan in the their opening clash, and with Uruguay dropping two points against the Asian Cup runners-up, they now have the chance to leapfrog them, take the lead in the group, and practically secure passage to the next stage of the tournament with a game to spare.

Coach Reinaldo Rueda has been doing a good job, and judging by what goalkeeper Brayan Cortes has said about working with the Colombian, it seems he enjoys the complete trust of his team.

Team News

There are no absentees from the squad. Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez and Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal are certainly their biggest names and are both very likely to start, but having scored twice against Japan, striker Eduardo Rojas will also fancy his chances of a good performance.

Conclusion

Ecuador are likely to find themselves in a similar situation like against Uruguay. Chile’s triumph in the previous edition of the tournament was no fluke, and they will certainly do their best to try and defend the title in style. With all due respect towards Gomez and his men, Ecuador aren’t very likely to have the ability to stop them at this point.

Verdict: Chile win.

Best odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Bet365