2021 Copa America – Chile vs Bolivia Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Chile vs Bolivia taking place? Friday 18th June, 2021 – 22:00 (UK)
Where is Chile vs Bolivia taking place? Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá
Where can I get tickets for Chile vs Bolivia? Visit the official Copa America website for the latest ticket information
What television channel is Chile vs Bolivia on in the UK? BBC Red Button
Where can I stream Chile vs Bolivia in the UK? This match can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website
THE TEAM NEWS
CHILE
- Martin Lasarte’s Chile is as experienced as 2010s Chile as ever. His 28-man squad is comfortably the oldest in the tournament with ten players at the age of 30 or over. That experience was actually evident in their 1-1 draw against Argentina in the opening match with the spine of stalwarts Claudio Bravo, Gary Medel, Mauricio Isla, Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas forming it.
- Their first-half performance was cohesive and striking of a team that knew their patterns of play against an Argentina team yet to understand exactly how they are supposed to be playing.
- The one talking point ahead of this match will be the fitness of Alexis Sanchez after he missed the game due to an injury. If he is available he will likely come in for Jean Meneses in the front line.
BOLIVIA
- Bolivia are the weakest side in the Copa America and their few CONMEBOL World Cup qualification tends to be reliant on their extreme home advantage of playing in La Paz. Bolivia haven’t won a match outside of La Paz since 2018 when they defeated Myanmar.
- Their opening match was a thumping 3-1 at the hands of Paraguay in which they did lead after ten minutes but collapsed in the final half-an-hour with just ten men.
- They will be forced into making one change to the starting lineup after Jaume Cuellar’s red card deep into first-half stoppage time. They had already set up with few attacking minded players on the pitch and have lost one already.
THE PREDICTION
A ragged Bolivian side filled with international inexperience outside of their main core is unlikely to trouble Chile. This isn’t the Chile side at their best over the last decade but they will be encouraged by their opening match performance and result. A fairly comfortable Chile result is likely to come in this one.
