Copa America: Uruguay Hungry for More

Uruguay vs Ecuador

Uruguay open up its Copa America campaign on Sunday, with a Group C clash against Ecuador at the Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto.

Oscar Tabarez’ side will be desperate for a victory, and that will be fully expected for the 15 times winners of the competition. La Celeste is one of the tournament favourites, alongside hosts Brazil and Argentina. The pre-tournament Copa America 2019 betting odds put the Selecao in front with home advantage, but Uruguay packs a punch, and Ecuador may well be the first recipient.

Our SBOBET odds say it will be an early win for Uruguay in their hunt for a first title since 2011, and they have been pretty ruthless in the run up to the Copa.

So Ecuador head coach Hernan Dario Gomez must somehow plot a way to upset the odds and put a dent in Uruguay’s title hopes.

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Talking Points

Uruguay’s Big Guns ready to Fire

The magnificent three of Diego Godin, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani are all in Tabarez’ squad of 23 and that is an imposing set up for any team to come up against. They have all earned over 100 caps, and centre back Godin has made more appearances than any other Uruguay player with 127, while Luis Suarez is the all time top scorer for his country, netting 56 from 107 games.

Paris saint Germain’s Cavani isn’t far behind with 46 from 110 and the two strikers have formed a lethal partnership, terrorising defences last year at Russia 2018. They still have a few years left in them, though Barcelona’s Suarez has recently undergone a knee operation and was doubtful a few weeks ago. His fitness will be a big factor in determining the outcome of Uruguay’s campaign.

If he doesn’t make it Girona’s Cristhian Stuani is waiting in the wings after a personally successful season in Serie A; and he will want to take any chance that comes his way to cement his position as the next in line.

Godin has left Atletico Madrid for pastures new, but he will rekindle his club partnership with Jose Gimenez, who has learned well from the master and is now a world class central defender in his own right. This pairing has been the best in Europe, if not the world, over the last two years so Ecuador will have a serious challenge at both ends of the pitch.

Antonio Valencia carries Ecuador’s hopes

Ecuador set their sights in Copa America as they hope to win the first match of Group C against Uruguay — Ecuador’s Antonio Valencia battles for the ball against Venezuela’s Roberto Angeles in a pre-Copa America match

If Uruguay has a few big names to call on, Ecuador isn’t quite so well blessed and all too frequently their hopes rest on Antonio Valencia. The winger has been a mainstay in Manchester United’s team over the last ten years and is the one player Uruguay might fancy in its own team. He can play at wing back or further forward and has an impressive range of passing in his locker. The chief beneficiary of Valencia’s crossing ability is his namesake. Enner Valencia climbed off the bench to score a late equaliser in a recent friendly against Venezuela and that means he has 28 international goals from 48 caps; some return for the UANL striker.

Gomez may be more concerned with the problem of how to keep the Uruguay strikers out and he will rely heavily on his most experienced defender Gabriel Achilier. The 34 year old has picked up 40 caps for his country. He’s a utility player who can play further forward, but his main task on Sunday will be as a stopper. He conceded a penalty against Venezuela and knows full well he’s about to face a couple of tricky customers.

History

While Uruguay is hunting a 16^th Copa America Ecuador is yet to reach a semi-final. The Tricolor reached the quarter final back in 2016 and would be delighted with a similar performance this time around. But it will be tough to get out of a group which also contains Chile and Japan.

Recent form doesn’t bode well. Ecuador comes into the game on the back of defeats to Mexico and USA and draws with Venezuela and Honduras. Meanwhile Uruguay has beaten Uzbekistan, Thailand and Panama, scoring ten unanswered goals.

The last time the sides met, in 2016, Uruguay ran out 2-1 winners and I expect a similar result, with a bigger margin this time around.

Betting Tip

	Uruguay vs Ecuador	Uruguay First Half Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.51
	June 17, 06:00 (GMT+8)

Ranked sixth in the world it is little surprise that Uruguay is odds on at 1.76 to win this opener, with Ecuador at 5.00 and the draw at 3.50. I think the favourites will attack from the off and could be well in control by the break.

But before Uruguay and Ecuador take the field, Brazil starts the competition with an opening day fixture against Bolivia, and we’ll be right there for all the latest Copa America 2019 news and highlights as they happen.