Prediction: Uruguay vs Ecuador

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: 888sport

Uruguay and Ecuador will open things in Group C of the 2019 Copa America. Los Charruas are heavy favourites to top the group over Ecuador, Chile and Japan, but they will need to respond to that label once the ball starts rolling. Meanwhile, Ecuador will try to prove their rebuilding process under Hernan Bolillo Gomez is going through the right path. This match will kick-off on Monday at 00.oo hrs BST.

Uruguay

Looking at history, current squad, and overall strength of the team, there’s no question Uruguay are favourites ahead of this group-stage opener. In fact, Los Charruas are considered to be one of the darkhorse candidates for the tournament and it wouldn’t be a stretch to see them reaching the final stages of the competition. Oscar Washington Tabarez’s men has assembled an impressive squad loaded with both talent and experience, with names such as Diego Godin, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani alongside quality youngsters such as Nahitan Nandez, Lucas Torreira, Rodrigo Betancur and Maxi Gomez, just to name a few. Starting well could do wonders for the Uruguayan side, as creating separation with Ecuador might be key on their quest to reach the next stage of the competition.

Team News

Uruguay will have three absentees entering this match. Mathias Suarez (ankle), Jonathan Urreta (knee) and Mauricio Lemos (undisclosed) are all expected to miss this match.

Barcelona’s striker Suarez, who was doubtful for the tournament opener, is reportedly fit and will start upfront alongside Cavani.

Ecuador

Ecuador enter this tournament with several doubts both on and off the pitch. Hernan “Bolillo” Gomez has been looking to re-plenish the squad with new names as El Tri are going through a painful rebuilding process. With that in mind, names such as Luis Antonio Valencia, Enner Valencia and Gabriel Achilier are veterans alongside new, younger names representing the country that famously sits “in the middle of the world”. After Ecuador failed to reach the 2018 FIFA World Cup, now “Bolillo” has been trying to inject new blood into the side but the early returns have not been successful since they’re riding a four-game winless run so far in 2019 (D2, L2). If we add the current record since the end of the World Cup, then we can see Ecuador have gone W4, D3, L3. Can they end that inconsistent run and pull a huge upset against Uruguay to begin the Copa America on the right foot?

Team News

Ecuador are at full strength entering this match. Jefferson Orejuela will be ready for this match after dealing with an injury over the past few days.

Key Factors to Consider

• Uruguay were the latest country to win the Copa America before Chile. They lifted the trophy during the 2011 edition of the tournament.
• However, since winning the title in 2011, Uruguay have won just two of seven Copa America matches. The record over that span reads: W2, D1, L4.
• Enner Valencia only needs one more goal to become Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer. The former West Ham player has 29 goals with the National Team.
• There hasn’t been a draw in Uruguay’s last 17 matches (W11, L6).
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in only three of Ecuador’s last ten games.

Conclusion

Uruguay are massive favourites entering this match. However, Ecuador are not going to make things easy on them. And the Ecuadorian side also own enough firepower on the attacking end to keep the opposing defence on their toes.

Expect over 2.5 goals scored in this match.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: 888sport