Copa America 2015: Quarter-final predictions

The 2015 Copa America is done and dusted with the group stage and now begins its crucial knock-out rounds. Only 8 teams now remain and the quarter-finals are about serve some really tantalizing match-ups for it’s viewers.Hosts Chile are against Uruguay, minnows Bolivia and Peru meet the next day. Favourites Argentina will lock horns with Colombia and Brazil are set to reunite with Paraguay in the last fixture. Only four of them can take a step closer to the crown, but who will be those fantastic four? Here are the predictions.

#1 Chile vs Uruguay

The hosts will commence the quarters with a mouth-watering clash against the erratic Uruguay in the capital once again. La Roja kicked off the campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over Ecuador which was followed by a thrilling 3-3 draw with Mexico. Chile then sealed their passage to the last 8 in style as they romped past a hapless Bolivia 5-0 to lay down a marker. Naturally, the host side are running high on confidence and will look to play this game in the same vein.

Chile have never lifted the Latin-American showpiece and now have the best chance to end their embarrassing 99-year title drought but firstly, they will have to pass the Uruguayans, who have been tumultuous so far. Shorn of their talismanic forward Luis Suarez, who is still serving his international embargo, La Celeste opened their account with an unconvincing 1-0 victory over minnows Jamaica. And after a going down to the mighty Argentina, were held to a goal-less draw by Paraguay in the final group game.

Uruguay’s strike force are dreadfully struggling to fire at all cylinders in the absence of El Pistolero whereas their defence has been in sixes and sevens. Now this might sound the death knell for the defending champions when they’ll go head to head with the potent strike force of Chile, with Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas wreaking havoc so far.

The hosts have racked-up an amazing 10 goals in the last 3 games, the highest in the competition so far and will predictably, bank on their fierce front line to do the work. Uruguay, who have been off-coloured right from the start, will have a really tough time getting past this juggernaut.

Prediction: A comfortable win for Chile is on the cards.

Score Prediction: Chile 2-0 Uruguay