In the early hours of Saturday morning (CET), Peru and Chile will face off in Group A of the Copa America 2024. Can either team make a winning start to their campaign?
A solid defence could be the key for PeruThe Incas\' recent form has been solid, as they head into this encounter unbeaten in their previous five international outings. The unbeaten run has come as a slight surprise, as Peru has struggled in the World Cup qualifiers.
A key to their recent improvement in results has been steady defensive displays, as they have kept clean sheets in three of their last four international outings.
Their recent defensive displays have contributed to nine of the last ten games producing under 2.5 goals.
Peru has found wins at the Copa America difficult to come by in recent tournaments, having won just two of their previous eight games in 90 minutes.
Chile are struggling for consistencyIn recent months, La Roja has struggled to produce consistent international results. Their record of winning three, losing three, and drawing one of their last seven games perfectly illustrates those struggles.
However, Ricardo Gareca’s team can claim to have recorded two wins from their last three outings.
With a tougher encounter with Group A favourites Argentina to come, Chile may well see this game as the perfect opportunity to get off to a winning start.
However, like their opponents, Chile have not been blessed with many victories at the Copa recently, winning just once in their previous nine outings in 90 minutes in the competition.
Their games at the Copa America 2021 were low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in their last five matches in the competition.
What am I backing?It’s hard to gauge which team is favourite. I can see this game being a close, low-scoring encounter. With that in mind, the bet I am backing is under 2.5 goals scored.
