Chile to Advance in a Tough Game against Uruguay

Chile now can prove for the footballing world that they are ready to fight for an international title.

Chile will play their toughest match in the 2015 Copa America against Uruguay in a quarter-final that would be not just a clash of styles, but also a significant test for the hosts. Chile met La Celeste last time in November and although they were able to dominate the game on home soil, Uruguay managed to win that fixture 2–1 eventually, as some of those who bet on sports in the US might recall.

• Chile is vulnerable in the air
• Uruguay will sit back
• Penalty shootout is possible

This time La Roja have to demonstrate that they are able to capitalize on their dominance against teams with exceptionally strong defense like Uruguay. Since the hosts will be exposed to high balls, they must limit Uruguay’s set pieces and solve those situation they cannot avoid by team effort. As Uruguay need to survive only 90 minutes to reach penalty shootouts – the extra time rule will be in effect only for the final –, an upset is also in the air.

Chile is a footballing spectacle

Chile are the favorites to qualify for the semis with bet365 offering odds of 1.80 (4/5) for them to win the game in 90 minutes. However, Uruguay has been a superpower in world football recently – they are underdogs with odds of 5.25 (17/4) – and although they scored only two goals in the group stage, they are designed for achieving success against sides with an attacking mindset. And the Chile national football team has been an extremist in that regard, which will suit Uruguay perfectly.

As La Roja coach Jorge Sampaoli continued the work that his fellow Argentine genius, Marcelo Bielsa started in Chile, Arturo Vidal and co. became a representative side of the most up-to-date version of total football. They maintain possession, attack, press high, counterattack and run all the time with a squad full of quick, skilled and aggressive players who enjoy combat and rapid strikes after having regained possession deep in the opponent’s half.

The player’s confidence in the method and their unmatched fitness makes them a side that is clearly a part of the footballing world’s elite. However, to transform themselves from the hottest spectacle to a real superpower that is capable of winning trophies, they have to reorganize their defense that is feeble against teams with a considerable aerial threat, as punters playing at online sportsbooks in the US might have remarked in their 3–3 group game against Mexico.

Uruguay is simple but dangerous

With the support of the home crowd Chile might blitz Uruguay from kickoff, trying to force an error and take an early lead. However, Uruguay’s backline that is led by Diego Godin and Gimenez and protected by an industrious midfield is an experienced defense that is hard to confuse even by the lightning quick attackers of Chile.

Uruguay is missing Luis Suarez who is still banned from international football and the inclusion of Edinson Cavani is doubtful after his father was reportedly involved in a road accident that saw the death of a 19-year-old motorcyclist, gambling news report. With the attacking display of La Celeste being rather limited and unimpressive even with Cavani in the team, a virtually one-dimensioned Uruguay is expected to take the field in the quarter-final.

This will simplify the picture for Chile, as they will have to concentrate on maintaining possession and to avoid conceding corners and fouls next to their box. However, this won’t make Uruguay’s defense easier to break, and regarding there is no extra time if the game is tied after 90 minutes, Oscar Tabarez’s team can definitely count on penalties. Punters can play that scenario at bet365 with odds of 3.60 (13/5). Uruguay did exactly that to hosts Argentina in the quarter-finals of the Copa four years ago in Santa Fe on their way to the final, though that side included Suarez and Diego Forlan too.

Chile impressed in the second half of their group match against Mexico, than thrashed Bolivia 5–0 in a game that featured two teams already secured qualification. Anyway, the hosts’ display was better towards the end of the group phase, and taking this into account as well as the fact that La Celeste barely survived the group stage, we should pick the hosts for advancing from this fixture. However, we should also consider before placing a wager at betting sites with cashout that the Uruguay cool can always upset a home crowd, especially if there is a penalty shootout. Don’t expect too many goals, but an ultimately close, tense and thrilling game.