Uruguay - Bolivia predictions and free betting tips [28/06/2024]

In the second match of Group C in the Copa América at the Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, the Uruguay national team will meet the Bolivia team.

Projected Line-ups

Uruguay: Sergio Rochet, Nahitan Nández, Ronald Araújo, Mathías Olivera, Matías Viña, Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Facundo Pellistri, Darwin Núñez, Maximiliano Araujo.

Bolivia: Guillermo Viscarra, Jesús Sagredo, Luis Haquín, José Sagredo, Leonel Justiniano, Danny Bejarano, Fernando Saucedo, Gabriel Villamil, Roberto Fernández, César Menacho, Bruno Miranda.

Uruguay

Uruguay, under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa, has been showing impressive results, including 2-0 victories over Argentina and Brazil in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and a successful start in this tournament. Bielsa has implemented a playing style that makes the team not overly reliant on star players, allowing the squad to play beautiful team football even in the absence of Suárez. A prime example of this can be seen in the goals scored in their last match, with scorers Maximiliano Araujo and Matías Viña demonstrating high-level combination play.

The Uruguay national team has started playing in a completely different way under Bielsa, considering their superstar roster. The Argentine coach, with his name and vast experience in Europe, quickly impressed his play style and team preparation. The midfield pairing of Valverde - Ugarte acts brilliantly in the centre of the pitch, and it is worth noting the active defensive flanks, Nández and Viña, who work defensively and superbly join the attacks.

First Victory at Copa América

In Uruguay's first match at the Copa América against Panama, Bielsa's team demonstrated their strength and tactical preparation. Uruguay secured a confident 3-1 victory, although they could have scored more, considering the number of created chances and shots on the opponent's goal. The game began with active attacks from the Uruguayans, leading to the first goal already in the 16th minute by forward Maximiliano Araujo. This goal added confidence, and Uruguay continued to control the game, putting pressure on Panama's defence. Particularly active in the attack was Darwin Núñez, utilising his speed and technique to break into the penalty area.

On the 85th minute, Núñez scored the second goal, showcasing excellent finishing. His efforts throughout the match were clearly noticeable, and this goal confirmed his status as a key player for the team. Later, one of the best players of the match, Matías Viña, also scored, making it 3-0. This moment vividly illustrated how Uruguay capitalised on their chances during counterattacks.

Panama managed to score a consolation goal closer to the end of the match, but it did not affect the overall outcome. Uruguay showcased its superiority and solidified its status as the favourite of the group, confidently moving towards the next stages of the tournament. Despite the seemingly comfortable scoreline, Uruguay could have scored much more, especially considering the activity of Darwin Núñez, who continues to exhibit top football for the national team, unlike for Liverpool.

Bolivia

The Bolivia national team approaches the second match of Copa América burdened by unsuccessful results. After the Bolivians lost 2-0 to the USA in the first round, their situation in the group has become complicated. In that game, the Americans dominated, although Bolivia had chances on counterattacks that they failed to convert. The goals for the USA were scored by Christian Pulisic and Giovanni Reyna, who netted after the break, demonstrating the effectiveness of the American attack.

Coach Antonio Carlos Zago faces the challenging task of resurrecting the team's morale and gameplay, which has won only 2 of their last 13 matches, losing the rest with an aggregate score of 6-26. This statistic reflects the current problems within the squad, mainly formed of players from local and South American clubs with little international experience.

Bolivia's issues are further exacerbated by their recent results in friendly matches before the tournament, where the team suffered losses to Colombia (0-3) and Ecuador (1-3). These results only highlight their vulnerability in defence and inefficiency in attack. Zago is attempting to implement a more organised playing style, but his team lacks stability and creativity in decisive moments. The remaining matches in the group against Uruguay and Panama will be critically important for showing improvement and maintaining any chance of advancing out of the group.

Head-to-Head

In recent years, the Uruguay national team has demonstrated clear superiority in head-to-head encounters against Bolivia, having won 5 of the last 6 matches since 2015, with just 1 loss. They have met in World Cup qualifiers and once in the Copa América in 2021, where Uruguay won 2-0. The most recent match between them was in November 2023, in World Cup qualifying, where Uruguay triumphed 3-0 thanks to a Darwin Núñez brace. Uruguay has scored 2 or more goals in each of these wins. Other matches include Bolivia's 3-0 win over Uruguay on 16 November 2021, and Uruguay's victories of 4-2 in World Cup qualifiers in both 2017 and 2021.

Prediction for Uruguay vs. Bolivia

Bielsa's team looks like the obvious favourite against one of the weakest teams in the Copa. Núñez alone is worth more than the entire Bolivian squad. I expect a second convincing win for Uruguay, this time without conceding, as Bolivia has failed to score in 8 out of their last 12 matches.

Prediction for Total

I will bet on a total under (TU) 3.5 goals. I expect Uruguay to win 2-0 or 3-0.