Argentina’s quest to win back-to-back Copa America titles kicks into excessive gear on Thursday, when the knockout phases start with their faceoff with Ecuador.
The reigning champions are the heavy favorites on this matchup after successful every of their three video games within the group stage, however Lionel Messi’s health is an enormous speaking level heading. Argentina may need sufficient firepower in assault to outlive Messi’s absence if he can not make it, however they are going to first must tackle an Ecuador aspect that rescued their Copa America marketing campaign after a tough begin.
Here is what it’s good to know earlier than tuning in.
Easy methods to watch and odds
- Date: Thursday, July 4 |Â Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: NRG Stadium — Houston, Texas
- TV: Fox | Reside stream: Fubo (Attempt at no cost)
- Odds:Â Argentina -230; Draw +310; Ecuador +750
Storylines
Argentina: Issues are to date, so good for the reigning champions, who received all of their video games within the group stage and have but to concede a purpose. They’ve completed this with and with out Messi, who performed of their first two video games and assisted Lautaro Martinez’s purpose towards Canada however missed the Group A finale towards Peru. Messi was not precisely wanted since they’d already certified for the quarterfinals, which afforded head coach Lionel Scaloni an opportunity to indicate off his depth. It was a profitable trial — Martinez scored twice, bringing as much as 4 objectives to date on the Copa America.
There is no query that Argentina would somewhat have Messi accessible than not, although. Many will likely be inspired by the truth that he returned to coaching on Tuesday, however his questions on his availability will linger till the workforce information drops on Thursday.
Ecuador: Ecuador had been positioned in a good group with Venezuela, Mexico and Jamaica however needed to survive a chaotic begin to the competitors to complete second in Group B. Enner Valencia’s crimson card and their subsequent loss to Venezuela meant they wanted outcomes towards Jamaica and Mexico, which favored Ecuador for the reason that Concacaf groups had been removed from their greatest on the Copa America. Valencia’s return will assist issues, however the workforce now has to show themselves in undoubtedly their hardest check of the competitors to date. They are going to be inspired by the truth that they held Argentina to a 1-0 win final month in a pleasant, however Scaloni opted to rotate that day — together with benching Messi.
Predicted lineups
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez
Ecuador: Alexander DomÃnguez, Angelo Preciado, Felix Torres, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie, Alan Franco, Moises Caicedo, Kendry Paez, Jeremy Sarmiento, Kevin Rodriguez, Enner Valencia
Prediction
That is Argentina’s recreation to lose and with or with out Messi, they are going to be up for the duty. Anticipate the reigning champions to lean on a number of attacking gamers as they decide up their newest victory of the Copa America, and sure decide up a clear sheet within the course of. Choose: Argentina 3, Ecuador 0