The 2024 Copa America continues with a highly anticipated clash between rivals Chile and Argentina at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Tuesday, June 25th.
Both teams are looking to secure a crucial three points in Group A as the tournament reaches its midway point.
Match Preview
Argentina, the defending champions, are currently top of the group after a convincing 2-0 victory over Canada in their opening match.
Lionel Messi and co. will be aiming to maintain their perfect start and take a significant step towards the quarter-finals with a win over their South American rivals.
Chile, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 0-0 draw against Peru in their first game and pick up their first win of the competition.
Argentina are the favorites heading into this match, boasting a star-studded squad led by the legendary Lionel Messi.
The 37-year-old, who recently celebrated his birthday, has been in fine form for his country, contributing with a goal and an assist in the win over Canada.
Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, and Angel Di Maria have also been impressive in attack for La Albiceleste.
Chile, meanwhile, will be relying on the experience of players like Alexis Sanchez, Eduardo Vargas, and Erick Pulgar to guide them through this tough encounter.
The team has struggled with consistency in recent months, but they will be determined to prove their worth against one of the tournament favorites.
Argentina have been in excellent form leading up to the Copa America, winning four of their last five matches and keeping three clean sheets in the process.
Their only defeat during this period came against Uruguay in November 2023.
Chile, on the other hand, have been inconsistent, winning two, drawing one, and losing two of their last five matches.
In their most recent outing, Argentina comfortably defeated Canada 2-0, while Chile were held to a goalless draw by Peru.
Both teams will be looking to improve on their performances and secure a more convincing result in this crucial encounter.
Head-to-Head
Argentina and Chile have a long and storied rivalry, with the former holding a significant advantage in their head-to-head record.
In 95 matches between the two nations, Argentina have won 62, while Chile have only managed 8 victories. The remaining 25 matches have ended in draws.
However, Chile have had some success against Argentina in recent Copa America tournaments, winning the 2015 and 2016 editions on penalties after drawing 0-0 in both finals.
Argentina have not lost to Chile since June 2016, winning 2 and drawing 3 of their last 5 meetings.
Prediction
This match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams looking to gain an advantage in the group standings.
Argentina’s superior quality and recent form make them the favorites to win, but Chile’s resilience and ability to frustrate their opponents should not be underestimated.
Ultimately, Argentina’s attacking prowess and the presence of Lionel Messi could prove to be the difference, and we predict a narrow 2-1 victory for the defending champions.
However, it is important to note that football is unpredictable, and anything can happen on the day.
Betting Tips
Match Result: Argentina to win (Odds: 1.44)
Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 goals (Odds: 2.10)
Both Teams to Score: Yes (Odds: 1.90)
Handicap: Argentina -1 (Odds: 2.50)