Copa America 2019: Colombia vs Chile preview

Defending champions Chile are facing their toughest test yet at the 2019 Copa America as they take on in-form Colombia in the quarter-finals on Saturday at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo. The two sides have met in the semi-finals of the competition in 2016 and Chile won that match 2-0 en route to their second consecutive title. Overall, Chile have won four of the last eight direct matches between the two sides, while Colombia have won just once, in 2012. 

Colombia have been quite impressive at this edition of the Copa America, they won all three group-stage matches and haven't conceded any goals. Their most impressive result was the 2-0 victory over Argentina in the inaugural match, while the other two games were both won 1-0 againt Qatar and Paraguay. Colombia have won thier last five matches in all competitions and have kept a cleah sheet throughout. Luis Muriel is the only injury concern for the Colombians ahead of this match. 

Chile have won the last two editions of the tournament, but after that they disappointed their fans by failing to qualify for the 2018 Word Cup in Russia. Since then the Chileans recorded mixed results in friendly matches all over the world, but they did well at the start of the 2019 Copa America by beating Japan 4-0 and Ecuador 2-1. They finsihed the group with a 1-0 defeat against Uruguay, but players like Mauricio Isla, Arturo Vidal and Jean Beausejour were all rested in that match because they were in risk of suspension after having picked up bookings in the first two matches. 

Probable line-ups: 

Colombia: Ospina - Medina, Mina, D. Sanchez, Tesillo - Cuadrado, Barrios, Uribe - Martinez, Zapata, Rodriguez

Chile: Arias - Isla, Medel, Maripan, Beausejour - Aranguiz, Pulgar, Vidal - Fuenzalida, Vargas, A. Sanchez

My prediction: 

I expect a fierce match between these two sides, both are capable of winning this game so I guess it might end with a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes. 

Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: 

Colombia win - 2.20

Draw - 3.10

Chile win - 3.50