Argentina vs Ecuador Prediction: Messi and co to cruise into semi-finals
The Copa America has now reached the crunch knockout stage as the quarter-finals takes centre stage. Defending champions Argentina take on Ecuador in Houston, looking to make it to another major semi-final after their incredible success in Qatar in 2022. Lionel Messi and Co will fancy thier chances after winning three from three in the group stage.
Below you can find my Argentina vs Ecuador prediction, with team news and betting tips.
Team News
Lionel Messi will come back into the team for this one having been rested with a slight hamstring tweak for the final group game. The captain won’t miss this one though in the early hours of Friday morning, while Rodrigo De Paul, Julian Alvarez and Alexis Mac Allister were also rested against Peru. Argentina will welcome back all of their star names for this one, as Emiliano Martinez targets five clean sheets in a row in this tournament.
Meanwhile, Ecuador will start record goalscorer Enner Valencia after he completed 90 minutes in the final group game following suspension. Alexander Dominguez is targeting another clean sheet, while Jose Hurtado may feature off the bench.
Argentina predicted starting XI:
E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; Di Maria, De Paul, Mac Allister; Messi, La. Martinez, Alvarez
Ecuador predicted starting XI:
Dominguez; Preciado, Torres, Pacho, Hincapie; Franco, M. Caicedo; Yeboah, Paez, Sarmiento; Valencia
Argentina are the clear favourites for this one, priced at 43/100 for the win. Meanwhile, Ecuador are available at 34/5 and a draw is 3/1. Over 2.5 goals is available at 5/4 and BTTS is 31/20.
Home win to nil @ 47/50
Argentina are clearly the superior side here. They won the last iteration of this competition before then going on to win the World Cup in Qatar. They are the number one team in the world right now, and with Messi and Alvarez, can beat any team in the Copa America.
What has been impressive from Lionel Scalone’s men is their run of clean sheets. They’ve barely been tested in the group stages and are yet to concede a goal. Martinez is one of the finest keepers in the world, but he’s also got a rock-solid back four in front of him. Argentina won 1-0 when these two met in a friendly last month, and I can see a similar result occurring here.
Julian Alvarez to score anytime @ 41/20
Although all the focus is on Messi, Alvarez has proven himself to be a top marksman for Argentina. He’s playing the number nine role with Messi in behind him, and that creativity should give the Man City man plenty of opportunities to find the net. He scored the opener goal against Canada and should still start here, even though Lautaro Martinez has impressed in the minutes he has been given.
I’m happy to back the tenacious forward to find the net, and think he should have plenty of chances to score against Ecuador, who got four points in the group stages.
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