Argentina vs. Uruguay – 2021 Copa America (June 18)

If you are betting on the 2021 Copa America, you will undoubtedly be interested in Friday’s heavyweight clash between Argentina and Uruguay.

The two giants of South American soccer go head-to-head in Brasilia on June 18, both aiming to enhance their prospects of making it out of Group B and qualifying for the quarter-finals.

In this Argentina vs. Uruguay betting preview, I look at the odds for Friday’s showdown, give analysis and tips, and share my prediction and pick.

As you can see, La Albiceleste is the bookies’ favorite to win this one. That said, the odds for Argentina to win are by no means small.

Lionel Scaloni’s men were held to a 1-1 draw by Chile in their opening game of the tournament, and it seems as though the online sportsbooks have taken that result into account when pricing up this matchup.

This is Uruguay’s first game at the 2021 Copa America, so Oscar Tabarez’s side will be eager to get off to a strong start on Friday.

When Lionel Messi put Argentina 1-0 up last weekend, everything appeared to be going to plan. However, Eduardo Vargas’ second-half strike saw Chile snatch a point.

The Argentines will obviously be happy to have extended their unbeaten streak to 14 matches last time out.

Following WCQ draws with Paraguay, Chile, and Colombia in the lead-up to Copa America, it’s fair to say that Argentina isn’t firing on all cylinders at the moment.

La Albiceleste can always rely on Messi. I mean, the little magician racked up 38 goals and 14 assists last season and currently sits on 72 goals in 143 appearances for his country. But if Argentina is to reach the latter stages of the tournament, Messi’s teammates will need to step up.

Scaloni will surely be tempted to make some alterations to his starting XI following the disappointing draw with Chile.

Along with Brazil and Argentina, the Uruguayans are among the bookies’ favorites to lift the trophy next month. But if their recent results are anything to go by, they could struggle to compete with their rivals.

Tabarez’s men have only managed to win two of their last seven matches in all competitions, recording three draws and two losses along the way.

Given that La Celeste’s squad is packed with world-class forwards like Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani and Atletico Madrid’s Luis Suarez, their goal drought should come to an end soon.

The Uruguayans can take confidence from the fact that they have avoided defeat in each of their previous two meetings with Argentina. Following a goalless draw in 2017, the two sides produced a 2-2 tie in 2019.

Although Argentina is enjoying a solid unbeaten run at the moment, we cannot forget that Scaloni’s men have drawn four of their last five games. While they have been doing enough to avoid defeat recently, they have not been clinical in front of goal.

With that in mind, I’m going with the draw for my Argentina vs. Uruguay prediction. I expect Tabarez’s men to rise to the occasion and up their game on Friday, so I can see them picking up a point.