Uruguay Favorites to Win Copa América Group C
- Uruguay (-110) are slight favorites to win Copa America Group C over Chile (+110)
- Chile has won the last two Copa America tournaments
- Uruguay also won back-to-back Copa Americas in 1983-87
What do Uruguay, Chile, Argentina and Brazil have in common? They are the only countries to win consecutive Copa America titles.
The Chileans have won the last two Copa Americas, in 2015 and in the centenary celebration of the event in 2016. Two-time World Cup champion Uruguay also won the Copa America in succession in 1983 and again in 1987.
These two South American powers are together in Group C of the 2019 Copa America, and the dividing line between these nations is razor thin.
Online sportsbooks peg Uruguay as the -110 chalk to win the group in the sportsbook’s Copa America odds. But Chile is almost neck and neck with the Uruguayans at +110.
Ecuador and Japan are also in the group.
2019 Copa America Group C Winner Odds
| Country | 2019 Copa America Group C Winner Odds |
|---|---|
| Uruguay | -110 |
| Chile | +110 |
| Ecuador | +700 |
| Japan | +1800 |
Odds taken on 06/08/19.
Uruguay finished third in its group at the last Copa America and failed to advance to the knockout phase.
Uruguay In Form
A 3-0 thrashing of Panama in a Friday friendly lead-up to the Copa America was a double blessing for the Uruguayans. Not only was it the country’s third straight shutout victory, Luis Suarez scored a cracking goal on a free kick.
Brilliant freekick goal of Luis Suarez against Panama.
— ChethanUK (@ChethanUK) June 8, 2019
The Barcelona star underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on a medial meniscus injury last month and was expected to miss six weeks. His availability for Copa America seemed doubtful.
Luis Suárez: "I feel very well and very happy. I knew that with time and hard work I would be able to return to the national team of Uruguay to participate in the Copa América. I am happy to play again, I feel better physically." [via sport] pic.twitter.com/3kxE1lZnG3
— barcacentre (from ?) (@barcacentre) June 8, 2019
Suarez’s presence in the Uruguayan lineup makes them legitimate threats to win the tournament. Uruguay is 12-1-1 in tis last 14 matches. The only loss was a 2-0 defeat to eventual champions France in the 2018 World Cup quarterfinals.
In an area of the soccer world where managers go south faster than bananas, Oscar Washington Tabarez has now been in charge of Uruguay for more than 13 years. The side has returned to its past glory under his tutelage and is always a dangerous foe.
Maxi Gómez:
"When Suárez and Cavani came on, we killed them [Panama]. They are the best strikers in the world." pic.twitter.com/TsB5533E9D
— Warriors of Uruguay (@UruguayHeroes) June 8, 2019
This year, the Uruguayans won the China Cup final 1-0 over Euro 2016 semifinalist Wales. In Suarez and Edinson Cavani, they have a deadly 1-2 punch up front. Cavani, like Suarez, is just coming back from injury. He had a hip tendon issue while playing for Paris Saint-Germain this season.
With a record 128 appearances for his country, center back and captain Diego Godin is the Rock of Gibraltar in the Uruguayan defense.
Chileans Remodeling
After consecutive Copa America titles, Chile can’t be counted out. However, the fact of the matter is that the Chileans are in the midst of a rebuild. As with any renovation, it’s a work in progress.
Chile is 2-5-4 in its last 11 internationals. The only wins have come at the expense of Haiti (2-1) in a unimpressive friendly performance and fellow Copa America group member Ecuador (2-1) in a World Cup qualifier. There have been harsh losses, such as a 3-1 setback to Mexico and a 3-0 whitewash by Peru.
Chilean manager Reinaldo Rueda has found that unearthing new blood to replace the heroes of the last two Copa America wins is proving to be a challenging assignment. He’ll still draw upon some of the veteran members of that side. That includes Eduardo Vargas, leading goal scorer at the last Copa America with six.
Eleven of the Chilean roster are over the age of 30.
Ecuador A Tough Out
Ecuador is one of those sides of which not much is expected. However, they are a country that can prove full of surprises.
At Copa America 2016, Ecuador held Brazil to a scoreless draw and stunningly advanced to the knockout stage ahead of the Brazilians. They fell 2-1 to the USA in the quarterfinals.
The Ecuadorians are 0-7-2 in their last nine matches and fell in their most recent matches against both Chile (2-1) and Uruguay (2-1). Manager Hernan Dario Gomez, in his second stint as Ecuador manager, admits that his is a side that is still under construction.
Japan An X-Factor
Every so often, Japan will throw in a result that shocks the soccer world. And that outcome can go either way.
The Japanese beat Colombia 2-1 in their opening match of the 2018 World Cup. But they also lost 3-1 to Qatar in the final of the 2019 Asian Cup.
It’s advisable for the other Group C sides to be wary of Japan. But if they bring their A game, the Japanese shouldn’t present a problem.
Seeing How Group C Will Evolve
Forget those tight odds. Uruguay should win this group for fun.
Luis Suárez and Diego Godín spoke about their Copa América expectations after last night's game.
– the goalscorer:
"I think we are among the candidates, because we are Uruguay"– the captain:
"The main goal is to win the Copa. Playing with this shirt, it has to be the reality" pic.twitter.com/tPTkylQWPA— Warriors of Uruguay (@UruguayHeroes) June 8, 2019
Chile is remodeling, Ecuador is rebuilding and Japan is a wildcard. The Chileans tend to bring out their best soccer at tournament time, so go with them to grab the second knockout phase spot.
Based on Ecuador’s recent run of poor results, put the Japanese third and the Ecuadorians fourth.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
