2015 Copa America: Argentina vs Uruguay preview

June 15, 2015
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Argentina vs UruguayAfter squandering a two-goal lead against Paraguay, Argentina face a must-win game against reigning champions Uruguay in La Serena.

La Celeste somehow overcame Jamaica in their opening fixture, but they will have bigger fish to fry in their second group game.

With Gerardo Martino having brought all his star players to Chile, many considered Argentina to be the main candidates for the coveted trophy, but the competition did not start well for La Albiceleste.

Argentina did create a two-goal lead in the clash with Paraguay, profiting from opposition mistakes, but some poor defending saw La Albirroja score two second-half goals to earn one point.

And even if they face minnows Jamaica in their final group fixture, Argentina will want to secure progress to the next stage as soon as possible, so bear in mind they are 1.67 (2/3) to defeat Uruguay.

Forwards Sergio Aguero and Leo Messi both scored in the opening match and they will again be relied on to produce the goals.

The good news is there are no fresh worries for coach Tata Martino, and we are unlikely to see any changes to the starting line-up.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Romero – Roncaglia, Garay, Otamendi, Rojo – Banega, Mascherano, Pastore – Messi, Aguero, Di Maria.

The 2011 Copa America champions did well to get past the very difficult group at the 2014 World Cup, but they could do little to avoid defeat to Colombia in the first knockout stage.

What is more, key forward Luis Suarez picked up a ban that would prevent him from taking part at this year’s Copa America tournament, with Diego Rolan taking his place in attack.

Uruguay kicked off the new campaign with the game against Jamaica and they probably did not expect to have such a difficult task.

Nevertheless, La Celeste showed a great deal of character to record a 1-0 triumph and will not be looking to pile more misery on Argentina.

Uruguay are not exactly favourites here, but they are available at 1.67 (2/3) to score at least one goal against La Albiceleste.

La Celeste head into the second game without any selection problems, meaning we could see the same side that started the Jamaica game.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Muslera – M. Pereira, Godin, Gimenez, A. Pereira – C. Sanchez, Lodeiro, Arevalo Rios, C. Rodriguez – Cavani, Rolan.

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