The Stats Zone
June 18 2019, 20:00 · Rob Esteva

2019 Copa America – Uruguay vs Japan Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

When is Uruguay vs Japan taking place? Friday 21st June, 2019 – 00:00 (UK)

Where is Uruguay vs Japan taking place? Arena do Grêmio, Porto Alegre

What television channel is Uruguay vs Japan on in the UK? This match will be televised live on Premier Sports

Where can I stream Uruguay vs Japan in the UK? Premier Sport subscribers can stream the match via Premier Player

For viewers in the United States, the game will be shown live and you can watch it by subscribing to ESPN+ here!

Where can I get tickets for Uruguay vs Japan? https://ingressos.copaamerica.com/#!/home

THE TEAM NEWS

URUGUAY

  • Uruguay started the tournament in excellent fashion in Belo Horizonte on Sunday, brushing aside 10-man Ecuador 4-0 in their Group C encounter as they played with an extra man from the 24th minute after Ecuador's Jose Quintero was red-carded for elbowing Nicolas Lodeiro.
  • Lodeiro gave them an early lead before Jose Quinteros was sent off for Ecuador, while Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez scored before half-time as Uruguay took advantage of the numerical disparity and Arturo Mina's second-half own goal wrapped sealed the dominant victory.
  • A negative from the win was the news that midfielder Matias Vecino will miss the rest of the Copa America with a thigh injury picked up in the game against Ecuador so Arsenal's Lucas Torreira is his most likely replacement.

JAPAN

  • Japan were defeated 4-0 by Chile in their opening match of the tournament as the youthful and experimental Japanese side were competitive but wasteful with their chances having missed five excellent chances during the game.
  • Most of Japan's dangerous moments of play against Chile involved Kubo, the talented rising star who signed a deal with Real Madrid this summer and he will have a chance to showcase his ability once again in this match.
  • Young centre-forward Ayase Ueda struggled in front of goal against Chile while Leicester City's Shinji Okazaki looked more of a threat when he came on from the bench and he may start on this occasion.

THE PREDICTION

Uruguay were comfortable winners against Ecuador in their first game and although they were helped by a red card, it is likely they would have been too strong for their opponents in any case. The 4-0 win will certainly have boosted confidence and they are sure to be hungry for more goals against a Japan side that conceded four goals in their opening group fixture. The experience and talent in the Uruguay squad will ensure they do not slip up against Japan and a routine victory for Uruguay is expected.