ARGENTINA will be looking to maintain their 100% record at the Copa America when they take on Ecuador at the quarter-final stage at the NRG Stadium on Thursday.
Lionel Scaloni’s team made light work of Group A, collecting maximum points from their trio of fixtures with Canada, Chile and Peru.
As well as triumphing in all three of their group games, La Albiceleste also managed to qualify without conceding a single goal.
The reigning champions are looking like a real force to be reckoned with and they will be expected to continue their march towards another Copa America crown by overcoming Ecuador.
Felix Sanchez’s side squeezed their way out of Group B with four points and a second-placed finish, edging out Mexico on account of their superior goal difference.
La Tri have never made it past the quarter-final stages of the Copa America and they face a Herculean task to reach uncharted territory when they go up against Argentina in Texas.
How the bookies view it: Argentine juggernaut to roll on
As expected, Argentina are short priced 2/5 favourites on Betfred to make it four wins from four at this year’s Copa America.
Ecuador, who won just one of their three group stage matches, are big underdogs at 13/2 on Betfred.
The 90 minute draw – which would set up extra-time and a potential penalty-shootout – is also deemed unlikely at 11/4 on Betfred.
Head to head: Argentina hoping history repeats itself
Somewhat ironically, Argentina eliminated Ecuador at the quarter-final stage on route to winning the Copa America three years ago.
Overall, the two nations have crossed swords on 24 occasions, with 11 of those games ending all square, whilst Argentina have eight wins to their name in comparison to Ecuador’s five successes. It’s also worth noting that Argentina defeated Ecuador 1-0 in a pre-tournament friendly less than one month ago.
Players to watch: Messi to make his mark?
Lionel Messi has yet to open his Copa America 2024 account across his two appearances so far. The Argentine icon is 6/5 on Betfred to score his maiden goal of the tournament against Ecuador.
This is a stark contrast to Lautaro Martinez who netted four times across his three Group A appearances. Consequently, the 26-year-old leads the race for the Golden Boot award and he holds plenty of appeal to add to his impressive tally at 6/4 on Betfred.
Ecuador will be hoping record goalscorer Enner Valencia can fire them to a shock victory. The former West Ham man is 18/5 to score anytime with Betfred.
Predicted line-ups
Argentina captain Lionel Messi sat out the 2-0 win over Peru last weekend due to a minor injury but he is expected to come back into the fold against Ecuador.
Barring one enforced change on matchday two due to a suspension, Ecuador boss Felxi Sanachez has more or less gone with the same starting XI, and that approach is expected to continue against Argentina.
Argentina: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; Di Maria, De Paul, Mac Allister; Messi, L Martinez, Alvarez
Ecuador: Dominguez; Preciado, Torres, Pacho, Hincapie; Franco, M. Caicedo; Yeboah, Paez, Sarmiento; Valencia
Anything else catch the eye?
Argentina are too skinny to side with at 2/5 (Betfred) but doubling up a La Albiceleste success with under 3.5 goals will present us with an attractive 17/20 (Betfred) play.
Lionel Scaloni’s side are very efficient operators and another solid if unspectacular success could be on the cards against Ecuador.
This bet would have proven profitable in each of Argentina’s three Group A victories, not to mention it would have been the right wager in 10 of the holders’ 13 victories since conquering the continent in Qatar at the tail end of 2022.
With all that in mind, the 17/20 (Betfred) about a repeat here is a price that definitely represents value.
This Euro 2024 match between Argentina and Ecuador will be played on Jul 5, 2024 and kick off at 02:00. Check below for our tipsters best Argentina vs Ecuador prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
