COPA AMERICA hosts Chile are back in action in the early hours of Tuesday, hosting Mexico in a match that could secure their place in the knockout stages. Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) takes a look at the best bets.
Chile v Mexico | Tuesday 00.30
Copa America hosts Chile got their campaign off to a winning start against Ecuador and the three points secured by Jorge Sampaoli’s men in their 2-0 success should have settled plenty of nerves in the home camp.
La Roja are the one nation to have outlined the Copa for some time in their quest to clinch a major honour and after 99 years of hurt, the current crop of Chileans is widely proclaimed to be their best ever. And the hosts can confirm their place in the knockout stages with a second victory against Mexico in Santiago.
Chile have lost just once in 15 outings on native soil and there were plenty of promising signs in their curtain-raising win. With the backing of a passionate crowd and Mexico missing the spine of their first team, I’ll happily get La Roja in the book but rather than touching the 1/2 (BetVictor), there’s better avenues for a best bet.
Sampaoli’s side have scored at least twice in nine of their last 11 competitive outings and should be capable of taking advantage of a second string Mexican side. We can combine the Chile win with Over 1.5 Total Match Goals at 17/20 with Betfair and that looks a far more attractive option. Only one of La Roja’s last 21 meaningful matches have seen fewer than two goals.
Mexico were held to a goalless draw by Group A outsiders Bolivia in their first fixture and Miguel Herrera’s charges were second best for large swathes. A laboured performance saw El Tri only come to life in the final half hour and a repeat display should be punished by the talented tournament hosts.
But despite reports to the contrary, there were enough goalscoring opportunities for both sides to avoid the goalless draw and suggestions of a drab encounter were wide of the mark. Knowing a defeat would leave their participation in the Copa hanging by a thread, Mexico will need to play on the front foot, which should hopefully lead us to a goal-laden game.
Best Bets
Chile v Mexico – Chile to win and Over 1.5 Goals (17/20 Betfair)
Your View
Reckon Chile will take Mexico apart? Could El Tri cause an upset?
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