Bolivia vs. Uruguay – 2021 Copa America (June 24)

Arguably the weakest team in South America plays its third game of the 2021 Copa America on Thursday, as Bolivia faces Uruguay in Cuiaba.

Bolivia has won the tournament on just the one occasion, as hosts way back in 1963. On the other hand, Uruguay is the most successful nation in the competition’s history and boasts a squad full of global stars.

Read on to discover how I think the game will go and for my Bolivia vs. Uruguay betting pick.

These two nations have just one point between them after two games played, but Uruguay is in a much better position. On the other hand, Bolivia was not expected to do much at Copa America and is bottom of the Zona Sur with no points.

Uruguay is not doing much better but has already come up against Argentina and Chile. Although the results would not have been to veteran head coach Oscar Tabarez’s liking, he will be expecting six points from the two remaining fixtures.

Bolivia is expected to be the one country that fails to make it to the quarterfinals – and it would be a surprise if La Verde managed to pick up any points at all in its four games.

In a word, no. With a squad made up of players largely from its domestic league – probably the weakest in South America – Bolivia will do very well to keep the score respectable on Thursday. Its only real hope is that keeper Carlos Lampe enjoys another good game between the sticks.

Jaume Cuellar is available again after being sent off against Paraguay in the first game of the tournament.

That Paraguay game was probably the only hope of a Bolivia victory at the tournament, as it has only won one game this year. Unsurprisingly that victory came in the altitude of La Paz, and the team’s difficulty in competing on a continental level away from home looks set to continue.

This Copa America tournament and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will probably be the final chances for the golden generation of Uruguay players to compete for honors. So the likes of Luis Suarez, Diego Godin, and Edinson Cavani need to step up to give La Celeste a chance here.

But little can be read into Uruguay’s current position in the group.

Both Cavani and Suarez have enjoyed very good domestic seasons and will want to take this opportunity to boost their goal tallies before meeting tougher opposition in the knockout stages.

Although there have been some unexpected results so far at Copa America, this is not the time to gamble on an upset. Uruguay cannot afford to lose this one and should be able to see off Bolivia quite comfortably.

The odds for an Uruguay win are not attractive, though. So you may want to search for goals markets instead, to have any chance of bringing in any healthy winning returns.

This is where I think Uruguay’s Copa America will really begin. Finishing any lower than third in the Zona Sul will mean either complete elimination or a probable quarterfinal tie against Brazil, so three points here is required.

Bolivia will undoubtedly attempt to stifle the play and frustrate Uruguay as the game goes on. But class will tell in the end, and I expect more than a few goals at the Arena Pantanal on Thursday.