Test match, Monday, 10.06.2024
On both sides of the Atlantic, the continent’s biggest soccer nations are feverishly preparing for the upcoming European Championship 2024 and Copa America 2024.
The current world champions have not yet played a test match in June. However, this will change next Monday with my Argentina Ecuador prediction, which is based on a bookmaker’s tip.
If Argentina win the Copa America again, they will be one of the best 5 national teams of all time.
The world champions’ declared aim is to lift this most prestigious trophy in back-to-back fashion and thus maintain their global dominance.
In the test match against Ecuador, we will get more than just a small taste of what awaits us at the Copa America. The Albiceleste will largely field the starting eleven planned for the opening match against Canada on June 20.
Instead of listing who’s in the squad, I’ll make it easy for you: who’s not in the squad this time? The only real pain is the absence of the injured Paolo Dybala.
But the man from AS Roma will only be missed to a limited extent, as there would probably have been no place for him in an attack with Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez anyway.
The midfield is also young and first-class with Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister, so the strikers are unlikely to “starve” in the usual 4-3-3 system
But watch out! Because I’ve had a detailed look at these Ecuadorians and I have to say that they could well do something at the Copa America.
They are quite well-staffed in defense and forward, but the now aged Enner Valencia remains the only really good striker of the “Tri”.
I wonder if this is why they lost a World Cup qualifier against Argentina 1-0 in September 2023? The Ecuadorians’ ability to convert chances remains an area that urgently needs to be worked on
Ecuador have failed to score in 3 of their last 5 international matches – and in some cases against much lower quality backlines than those of their upcoming opponents.
And indeed, you should have the combination of an interesting European Championship free bet with a possible one-nil win for Argentina on your mind at the latest when I have confronted you with the following information.
Watch out: Argentina have won three of their last four international matches against Ecuador to nil, with the only deviation from the program being the 1-1 draw in March 2022.
But be careful not to overestimate the world champions, because the Argentina Ecuador odds could wrongly give you the impression that one-way soccer awaits you on Monday.
Offering 1.55 for an Argentine victory is a healthy dose of optimism, which I share, but at the same time promises little “value bet potential”.
After all, Argentina are playing a test match and not a competitive game. Furthermore, it doesn’t necessarily enjoy the support of the fans at Soldier Field in Chicago either
Since only 5 goals have been scored by both sides in Ecuador’s last 5 competitive matches, you shouldn’t close your mind to a sub-2.5-goal bet on Monday.
Especially as the associated odds of 1.80 can be sweetened with a lucrative Euro 2024 bonus.
In any case, in my Argentina Ecuador betting tip, I’m openly betting on three possible outcomes: 1:0, 2:0 and yes, even a 0:0.
In the Copa America, on the other hand, things should be a little more one-sided in favor of the world champions
Argentina are not showing any signs of a sudden slump in performance after winning the World Cup two years ago, as has been the case with many other national teams in the past.
In the post-World Cup era, the “Albiceleste” have won 11 of their 12 international matches, including the two most recent outings in March against El Salvador (3-0) and Costa Rica (3-1).
Now I would like to share my own Copa America prediction with you, also because it can be perfectly inserted at this point.
Because the only team to beat Argentina 2-0 in this two-year period is also my secret favorite to win the whole thing: Uruguay
Conclusion: From Argentina’s point of view, this match does not necessarily provide the ideal conditions.
They are playing their first preparation game for the Copa America and are not playing at home, but in the US state of Illinois.
Nevertheless, they should be able to put in an excellent defensive performance against this opponent even under these circumstances and, with a bit of luck, score the only goal of the game.
In any case, my personal Argentina Ecuador tip is: Under 2.5 goals
