Brazil vs. Chile – 2021 Copa America (July 2)

The knockout stage of the 2021 Copa America begins on Friday, and host Brazil faces Chile at the Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos in Rio for the right to play Peru or Paraguay in the last four.

Brazil will be the overwhelming favorite to win the tie – and has been by far the most impressive team in the competition so far. But can Chile upset the odds and embarrass the Selecao in its own backyard?

Read my preview to find out – and for my Brazil vs. Chile betting pick.

Tite made a whole host of changes for the final group game against Ecuador at the weekend.

The 90 minutes rest for some of the first choice Brazil players could make a huge difference as they carry on their quest to win the Copa America again. Putting aside that draw against Ecuador, Brazil has looked unbeatable as it easily overcame Peru and Venezuela. It also showed it has fate on its side in scoring a winner against Colombia in the 10^th minute of stoppage time.

Now Tite has a fully fit squad to choose from once again and will look to Neymar to provide the creative moves that will see Brazil progress to the semifinals. Jesus and Firmino are likely to join him up front – but it is a team effort that has got Brazil this far. That spirit should be more than enough to help it come through this encounter against a limited Chile without too much trouble.

Chile began this tournament relatively well, drawing with eventual group winners Argentina in the first game and then beating Bolivia. But results and performances have dipped since then, resulting in fourth place in the group and being rewarded with this quarterfinal tie against Brazil.

Alexis Sanchez has been absent so far and doesn’t look like returning for this fixture as originally planned – and the rest of an aging squad has not done much in the way of entertaining so far.

Arturo Vidal has looked a little lost in the middle. Even the spectacle of England-born striker Ben Brereton making his debut for La Roja has not raised the belief that this team can go any further in this competition. Atletico Mineiro striker Eduardo Vargas looks to be the main threat – but he may not get too many chances against this Brazil side.

BetOnline makes this the most one-sided game of the quarterfinals, and it is difficult to argue with that logic considering how well Brazil has played and how labored Chile has been.

Even when Chile was picking up points at the beginning of the tournament, there was a lack of urgency and creativity. That kind of performance could be punished here, and Neymar  – as ever – will have a major say in how many goals Brazil will score.

But do think Chile will do everything it can – both fair and foul – to stop the PSG star on Friday, so goals might not be in plentiful supply. The price for a Brazil victory is not particularly attractive, so a bet on a goals over/under market might be more productive.