The 2015 Copa America will kick off on Friday when tournament hosts Chile take on Ecuador at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago. There are high expectations of the Chilean side this time after their solid performance at the 2014 World Cup. The bookmakers have them as third favourites to win the 44th edition of the Copa America behind usual suspects Brazil and Argentina. Chile have won 27 of the 50 meetings between the two sides while Ecuador have snatched 10 wins.
Coach Jorge Sampaoli took charge of the Chilean national team in 2012 and transformed them in a force to be reckoned with. At the World Cup they defeated holders Spain and then were knocked out by Brazil in the last 16 after a tight match. They have big names in the team, including Gary Medel, Arturo Vidal, Claudio Bravo and Alexis Sanchez. Chile have never won the Copa America before but this time they are in a good position to make the most out of the home crowd support. Striker Esteban Paredes and midfielder Carlos Carmona are unavailable and will not feature in the tournament at all.
Ecuador managed to hold France to a draw at the World Cup but eventually failed to qualify from the group stage. After the tournament Ecuador appointed Sixto Vizuete as an interim head coach before Gustavo Quinteros took charge. Ecuador have not won a Copa America match since 2001, when they defeated Venezuela 4-0. That makes it nine matches without a win in this tournament from a total of just four wins in 22 matches. Moreover, Ecuador will be without their star, Manchester United's Antonio Valencia will be unavailable after having undergone surgery on an ankle injury.
Probable line ups:
Chile: Bravo - Silva, Medel, Jara - Isla, Beausejour, Aranguiz, Mena, Vidal - Vargas, Sanchez
Ecuador: Dominguez - Paredes, Ayovi, Mina, Achilier - Martinez, Noboa, Lastra, Bolanos, Montero - Valencia
My prediction: Chile to win 3-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Chile win - 1.53 Draw - 4.00 Ecuador win - 6.50
galata86 8 years ago
The expected victory of Chile.I hit a correct score. As hosts of this competition, I think they can fight for the title, with Argentina and Brazil. With Messi, Alexis Sanchez is a player in the best form in the competition. I think that Ecuador will be on the second place in this group.
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
Chile played good this match.Chilean players were running a lot ,they were inspired by fantastic crowd.I think that they will be in last four of the tournament.Sanchez ,Vidal and others are at the top of their careers,so this is right time for them to make something big in front of fantastic crowd.
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
Johnajax 8 years ago
Chile won 2-0 and I think that was deserved. Chile have great players like Arturo Vidal or Alexis and it will be nice to see them playing in semi finals or final against Argentina or Brazil. With this win a lot of work is done and with this three points they can already make plans for knockout round of this competition....
Chile won 2-0 and I think that was deserved. Chile have great players like Arturo Vidal or Alexis and it will be nice to see them playing in semi finals or final against Argentina or Brazil. With this win a lot of work is done and with this three points they can already make plans for knockout round of this competition.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
sharpe 8 years ago
It was quite a tough one for Chile, the referees really help them in their last game. I didn't watched this game but some months earlier, I don't remember who their opponents were but they've won with ridiculous penalty the end and now again?! Even Brazil and Argentina are not so popular amongst the referees. Chile can't...
It was quite a tough one for Chile, the referees really help them in their last game. I didn't watched this game but some months earlier, I don't remember who their opponents were but they've won with ridiculous penalty the end and now again?! Even Brazil and Argentina are not so popular amongst the referees. Chile can't win a game fairly and every time the referees have to save them.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
seculla 8 years ago
Just as I expected, Chile won. But I definitely agree with rikimartin, that Chile's win was not easy. More difficult that I've expected. And also I think that that result that they had at the half-time woke them up. It's very suspicious referee's decision to "whistle" that penalty over Vidal, and he scored for 1:0. Anyway,...
Just as I expected, Chile won. But I definitely agree with rikimartin, that Chile's win was not easy. More difficult that I've expected. And also I think that that result that they had at the half-time woke them up. It's very suspicious referee's decision to "whistle" that penalty over Vidal, and he scored for 1:0. Anyway, it was interesting match and expected win from Chile.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
This was not so easy win for Chile. They won 2-0 but Ecuador have their chances. With score 1-0 for Chile, Ecuador hit crossbar. They weren't lucky enough to score. Chile played good, they were better at the start of the game but they didn't score. In second, they convert penalty. Now, they need to look forward and prepare...
This was not so easy win for Chile. They won 2-0 but Ecuador have their chances. With score 1-0 for Chile, Ecuador hit crossbar. They weren't lucky enough to score. Chile played good, they were better at the start of the game but they didn't score. In second, they convert penalty. Now, they need to look forward and prepare for the next game.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
seculla 8 years ago
Finally the day that this great tournament will start comes. Tonight's opening with match between Chile and Ecuador will be great. I expect great football, not just on this match but on the whole tournament. When it comes to this match I believe that Chile is a favorite and I'm pretty sure that they will start this tournament...
Finally the day that this great tournament will start comes. Tonight's opening with match between Chile and Ecuador will be great. I expect great football, not just on this match but on the whole tournament. When it comes to this match I believe that Chile is a favorite and I'm pretty sure that they will start this tournament with a win.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
advoghado 8 years ago
I am very excited about these games in the Copa America, the South American soccerl, not just more only Brazil Argentina and Uruguay, we have several teams playing a very good level and with a real chance at the title, such as Chile, Mexico , Colombia, are selections that have evolved a lot, and I believe a Cup with hard...
I am very excited about these games in the Copa America, the South American soccerl, not just more only Brazil Argentina and Uruguay, we have several teams playing a very good level and with a real chance at the title, such as Chile, Mexico , Colombia, are selections that have evolved a lot, and I believe a Cup with hard fought good games to watch.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
h34dhunt3r 8 years ago
Chile as a host has big hopes about this tournament. They after almost decade and half (world cup 1998) have team that can go head to head with top South American squads. First game is always immortant, as whole snowballing thing depends on how well they do vs Equador. Arturo Vidal had long season, and as their key player...
Chile as a host has big hopes about this tournament. They after almost decade and half (world cup 1998) have team that can go head to head with top South American squads. First game is always immortant, as whole snowballing thing depends on how well they do vs Equador. Arturo Vidal had long season, and as their key player he has to find strenght to play those games as best as possible.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
Shumar4life 8 years ago
Chille is better team, they have more experience, and on last WC they showed to us that they could be one of main favorites beside Brasil and Argentina. Of course Equador has their own qualities, but I believe strongly that Chille has enough quality to take all three points
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
Great tournament expect us. Chile is tournament hosts and they are playing opening game vs Ecuador. Chile have great team, lot of great players, they are playing at home and I think that they will win in today game. They are one of the favorites from shadow to win Copa America trophy. Ecuador is strong team, with great...
Great tournament expect us. Chile is tournament hosts and they are playing opening game vs Ecuador. Chile have great team, lot of great players, they are playing at home and I think that they will win in today game. They are one of the favorites from shadow to win Copa America trophy. Ecuador is strong team, with great defense but they are already lost this match I think.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.