Preview
Bolivia and Uruguay will go head to head in Copa America in Cuiaba on Thursday, as both teams look to salvage their respective campaigns following a poor start. The hosts in particular will be eager to make amends for the successive defeats they have picked up since the commencement of the finals.
Touted as the underdogs of the tournament, César Farias Acosta's men began with a 3-1 defeat to Paraguay in the first round. This was followed by a 1-0 loss against Chile inside their own backyard which many despise due to the high altitudes. Bolivia's fate in the first two rounds has left them at the base of the Group A table with the chance to progress to the knockout phase looking increasingly unlikely.
So far, they have secured just one win from their last just two wins from their last 25 appearance in all competitions, accumulating 18 losses and five draws in the process. Against a side fancied to go all the way and tipped to potentially reach the final, La Verde may only be able to come out on top if they mount a decent resistance to their opponents on their highland soil.
For Uruguay, coming into the game with just a point from their last two outings does not speak well of the campaign they have had so far. Considering that top talents are aplenty within their ranks, the Celeste should be able to kick-start a turnaround when they encounter Bolivia on Thursday. But that would require an upgrade in their performances against Argentina and Chile which saw they record a defeat and a draw in succession.
Against the former, Guido Rodriguez's strike sealed the deal inside Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha before Luis Suarez canceled out Eduardo Vargas' thunderbolt to ensure that spoils were shared in the latter encounter. Indeed, their form in recent months gives little room for optimism to exist in terms of their qualification chances. Oscar Tabarez's men have recorded just three wins from their last four outings in all competitions, losing three and drawing the remaining four games.
Uruguay may not necessarily be out of their depth considering they still possess works-class strikers in Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani leading the lines while having the likes of Fede Valverde, Jose Gimenez and Diego Gordon all in the mix. But they will be required to settle in their elements and start firing in order to secure a comfortable spot to qualify for the next round.
Team news
Bolivia will be without their star man Marcelo Moreno for the meeting with Uruguay. The striker has been forced to isolate after testing positive for COVID-19. There is, however, a boost in their camp with Jaume Cuear retiring from his suspension ahead of Thursday's match.
On the contrary, Uruguay may be forced to test the resolve of the Bolivians without midfield start Fede Valverde. The Real Madrid man was substituted in the 84th minute of the draw with Chile after picking up an injury.
Predicted starting XI
-
Bolivia: Lampe; Bejarano, Jusino, Quinteros, Fernandez; Arce, Vaca, Justiniano, Saavedra; Cuellar, Alvarez
-
Uruguay: Muslera; Gonzalez, Gimenez, Godin, Caceres; Vecino, Valverde; De Arrascaeta, De La Cruz; Cavani, Suarez.
Broadcast information
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
