Prediction: Ecuador vs Jamaica

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

Two camps who are looking to get their first Copa America points on the board late on Wednesday night, Ecuador will meet Jamaica at the Allegiant Stadium.

Ecuador

Starting with Ecuador, suffering major World Cup frustration out in the Middle East 18 months ago as they failed to progress past the group stage, La Tri are desperate to put in a better account of themselves this summer. However, although Felix Sanchez Bas might have seen his squad suffer just a single defeat from any of their opening six World Cup qualifying appearances last year, the Yellows do have the feel of a squad seeking some recent stability. Missing out on what they had billed as a golden opportunity last weekend as they opened their Copa America adventure with a shock 2-1 loss at the hands of Venezuela, the former Qatar boss will be demanding an immediate response when they travel to the Allegiant Stadium here.

Team News

Shown a first-half red card against Venezuela last weekend, Ecuador will be unable to call upon attacking talisman and record-breaking skipper Enter Valencia on Wednesday night. However, opening his Copa America account in Santa Clara, Brighton youngster Jeremy Sarmiento will play a leading role here.

Completing what was a history-making £115million move to Premier League giants Chelsea last summer, Moises Caicedo will start at the heart of Bas’ midfield and earn a 44th international cap. Crowned as a Bundesliga champion with Bayer Leverkusen last season, 22-year-old Piero Hincapie will once again feature at a left-back.

Jamaica

As for Jamaica, although the Reggae Boys might have put in a rugged performance against Mexico in Texas last weekend, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men opened their Copa America adventure with a 1-0 loss. While the former Iceland boss might have seen his squad claim a Concacaf Nations League bronze medal on March 24th as they secured a 1-0 victory against Panama, the Yellows have a real battle on their hands in the race to clinch a knockout stage ticket this summer. Despite losing just one of their previous eight appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes, Jamaica are seeking some recent fluidity in the final third. Including their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Mexico in the early hours of Sunday, Hallgrimsson’s side have notched more than a single strike in just one of their last seven consecutive outings.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective injury issues, the duo of Andre Blake and Luton Town defender Amari’i Bell will not feature on Wednesday night. While West Ham striker Michail Antonio might have seen his second-half strike against Mexico ruled out by VAR last weekend, the 34-year-old will spearhead Hallgrimsson’s charge at the Allegiant Stadium.

Now playing his domestic football in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq, former Leicester star Demarai Bray will join Antonio in the final third. The Premier League duo of Fulham’s Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock will feature here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Ecuador and Jamaica last met back in September 2018 for a friendly showdowns, La Tri collected a 2-0 victory.
• Ecuador have failed to record a single clean sheet from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions.
• Falling to a 1-0 loss against Mexico last weekend, that is the only defeat that Jamaica have suffered within 90 minutes from any of their previous eight appearances.
• Six of Jamaica’s last seven appearances across all competitions have finished with under 2.5 goals.
• Ecuador have failed to record more than a single strike in seven of their last nine competitive appearances.

Conclusion

Two camps who are looking to get their first Copa America points on the board here, Ecuador and Jamaica face what is a summer-defining showdown on Wednesday night. However, with both sides still looking to find some attacking fluidity in the final third, we could be set for a nail-biting contest from the Allegiant Stadium in midweek. It should be highlighted, with the Reggae Boys seeing six of their previous seven appearances across all competitions finish with under 2.5 goals, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Luckster