USA - Bolivia predictions and free betting tips [23/06/2024]

On Monday, 24 June, in the first round of the group stage of the Copa América, the USA will face Bolivia. Prior to the start of the tournament, the 'Yankees' drew 1-1 with Brazil in a hard-fought match, while 'La Verde' are on a three-match losing streak and are considered the underdogs of Group C.

Predicted Line-ups

USA: Turner; Scally, Richards, Carter-Vickers, A. Robinson; Adams, Musah, McKennie; Weah, Pepi, Pulisic.  The USA squad for the Copa América does not include defenders Dest (PSV), Yedlin (Cincinnati), Long (LAFC), Miazga (Cincinnati), and Reynolds (Westerlo), midfielder Roldan (Seattle), and forwards Jordan Morris (Seattle, 11 goals), Jesús Ferreira (Dallas, 15 goals), and Brandon Vázquez (Monterrey, 4 goals). On the other hand, the Stars and Stripes' lineup features several global football stars, including winger Pulisic (AC Milan, 29 goals in 68 matches), Aaronson (Leeds United, 8 goals in 41 matches), Timothy Weah (Juventus), Pepi (PSV), and Balogun (Monaco, 3 goals in 12 matches).

In midfield, there is no shortage of quality players: McKennie (Juventus, 53 matches, 11 goals), Tyler Adams (Bournemouth, 39 matches), Musah (AC Milan), and Reyna (Nottingham Forest, 8 goals in 28 matches). Forward Sargent disappointed in the last World Cup but has a solid international record (5 goals in 23 matches) and will likely come off the bench in the second half to strengthen the game. Notably, Pulisic could equal Brian McBride's national team goal record (30) tonight.

Bolivia: Lampe; Medina, Jaquín, Jusino, J. Sagredo; Saucedo; Terceros, Villamil, Vaca, Fernández; Ramallo.  Bolivia's Copa América squad lacks midfielders Villarroel and Vaca, and their all-time top scorer Marcelo Martins Moreno retired from international football at the end of 2023. Additionally, defender Saavedra was not called up, and Jesús Sagredo sustained an injury in a recent friendly against Mexico, making his participation against the USA doubtful.

There is also no certainty about Villamil's participation. Most of Bolivia's players compete in the domestic league. However, among them are defender Roberto Fernández (Baltika Kaliningrad) and captain Luis Jaquín (Ponte Preta), as well as midfielders Céspedes (Yverdon) and Terceros (Santos). Rodrigo Ramallo has scored seven goals for 'La Verde,' more than any other Bolivian player in the tournament squad, and is likely to spearhead the attack.

Stadium

The match will take place in Arlington at AT&T Stadium.

USA

Semi-finalists of Copa América 2016, the USA were not invited to the last two tournaments. However, this year the Stars and Stripes have legitimate ambitions to make a significant impact at the continental championship. Following the 2022 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the Round of 16 by the Netherlands, the Americans participated in the CONCACAF Gold Cup last summer (exiting in the semi-finals to Panama). Nonetheless, the team achieved success in the recent Nations League, securing their title in the March camp by defeating Jamaica in the semi-finals (3-1 after extra time) and Mexico in the final (2-0).

 During their Copa América preparations, the USA suffered a heavy defeat to Colombia (1-5) and then barely secured a draw against Brazil thanks to a fabulous Pulisic free-kick (1-1). An interesting fact: since the 1995 Copa América in Uruguay, the USA have not started this competition with a victory - they defeated Chile 2-1 thanks to Eric Wynalda's brace. However, since September 2019, Gregg Berhalter's men have lost only once to CONMEBOL opponents.

Bolivia

Bolivia hopes to achieve more at this year's continental championship, although the prospects are limited. Even gaining a single point this year would be an achievement, as the Bolivians have lost 11 consecutive group stage matches since 2015! Having missed the 2022 World Cup, 'La Verde' began their qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup last September. As expected, their performances have been underwhelming: just one win and five losses, placing them 9th and second-to-last in the standings.

However, they are just two points away from seventh place, keeping their World Cup hopes alive. In March, Bolivia played friendlies, losing 3-2 to Algeria and beating modest Andorra 1-0. In early June, they were thrashed by Mexico (0-1), Ecuador (1-3), and Colombia in their final warm-up before the Copa América (0-3 defeat).

Head-to-Head

The USA and Bolivia have faced each other three times, with the USA leading with 2 wins and 1 loss. Their most recent encounter was in 2018, where the Stars and Stripes triumphed 3-0.

Match Prediction: USA vs Bolivia

Despite the inconsistencies in the USA's results throughout the year, it is hard to imagine a slip-up by the hosts against the tournament's main underdog. Bolivia has the weakest squad in the competition and have lost 11 consecutive Copa América group stage matches. In contrast, the hosts can count on the boisterous support from their home crowd and will delight their fans with a convincing victory with a -1.5 handicap.

Total Prediction

The hosts boast a fantastic attacking line-up led by Pulisic and will dominate for most of the game. I am betting on the USA's Individual Total Over 2.5 goals.

Corners Prediction

The USA team outclasses their opponents and will seize the initiative from the first minutes. I risk betting on the hosts' Individual Total Over 3.5 corners in the first half.

Yellow Cards Prediction

The Bolivians will spend a lot of time in defence and will try to disrupt their opponent's attacks with fouls, so they will prevail in yellow cards.

Score Prediction

I predict a 3-0 victory in favour of the USA.