Prediction: Uruguay vs Japan

Prediction: Uruguay win

Best Odds: 1/6

Bookmaker: bet365

The Copa America is well underway by this point, and there have already been a few fascinating results. It feels like the smaller nations are going to really step up and be counted in the next few group stage games, because they know that they need to. The game that we’re going to be looking at today will be contested between Uruguay and Japan, and while they may have had very different starts to the tournament, they both have a rich pedigree that should make for an entertaining encounter.

Uruguay

The former world champions have had a rollercoaster ride of a few years, as they prepare to invest in their future as some of their biggest names edge closer and closer towards international retirement. Still, they’re one of those nations that you can just never count out, which is why they’re so intriguing to watch. We’re expecting them to do some big things in this year’s Copa America, and their journey will take them to a game against Japan that won’t be as easy as many expect it to be.

Team News

Matias Vecino has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament through injury, which should allow for Lucas Torreira to come into the starting XI as the Arsenal star attempts to make an immediate impact.

Japan

Japan have failed to really capitalise on the success they built for themselves at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where they came oh so close to knocking out Belgium and progressing into the quarter-finals of the tournament. They’re starting to move out of what many consider to be their golden generation, which leaves them needing a series of fresh faces to come in and help build them back up. They didn’t start off their campaign this year in the ideal manner, but as invited guests, anything will be a bonus for them.

Team News

This is the definition of an experimental squad for Japan, who brought 16 uncapped players to the tournament. Many are expecting them to make a series of changes for this game.

Factors to Consider

• Uruguay lead the overall head to head standings 4-2 with one draw.
• Uruguay won their first group stage game 4-0 against Ecuador.
• Japan lost their first group stage game 4-0 against Chile.
• Uruguay have won two and lost four of their last six games.
• Japan have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six games.

Conclusion

We don’t think that this is going to be a comprehensive win for Uruguay by any stretch of the imagination, because Japan will almost certainly try and tighten things up at the back as their primary objective. Still, even with that being the case, we’re expecting Uruguay to edge out a narrow win. It’ll probably be incredibly cagey and they may not even find the breakthrough until quite late in the game, but we still think they’re going to have enough to edge their way past the Japanese.

Prediction: Uruguay win

Best Odds: 1/6

Bookmaker: bet365