Canada vs. Chile Expert Pick and Prediction – June 29, 2024

CANADA VS. CHILE EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTION – June 29, 2024 — While the United States fights for its life in Copa America, Canada is set up for a triumph. Les Rouges took care of business against Peru, and they now have a golden opportunity against an aging Chile. Once upon a time, this would have been a frightening fixture for the Canadians, but La Roja isn’t the team it once was.

The Chileans won Copa America in 2015 and 2016, but they haven’t scored a goal in the knockout stages in either of the past two tournaments. They also haven’t put anything into the net in this tournament, going scoreless against both Peru and Argentina.

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Meanwhile, Canada has gradually improved against lesser competition. The Canadians took some lumps against some of Europe’s best as well as Argentina, but they broke through last time. Les Rouges definitely qualifies for the knockouts with a win, and a draw would be enough if Argentina doesn’t lose to Peru.

The big question is whether they’re ready for this moment. Canada has made the knockout stages of Gold Cup, but it’s never made it past the group stage of a bigger tournament. The Canadians lost all three matches at the World Cup last time, and they’ve been looking for their breakthrough moment for this generation. If they can stand up to the moment, they’ll earn one of their best moments in their nation’s history.

Kickoff

Teams: Canada vs. Chile

When: Saturday, June 29 at 8 p.m. EST

Where: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Fla.

TV: FS2

Spread: Canada 0/Chile 0

Moneyline: Canada +195/Chile +150/Draw +230

Totals: Over 2.5 (-110)/Under 2.5 (-115)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings, as of June 29th, 2024 

Scouting Canada

Canada’s attack wasn’t fantastic against Peru, but it was good enough to get the job done. The biggest thing that Canada has shown under Marsch is discipline. In the match with the Incas, Peru tried to mix it up and get Les Rouges off their game. That didn’t work, as all it got the Peruvians was a red card. From there, it was only a matter of time until Canada found the goal it needed.

There’s little reason to expect changes from Canada in this match. Alphonso Davies is the most talented young player on the pitch, and Jonathan David and Cyle Larin give the Canadians a solid attack up front. As long as Canada plays its game and keeps its composure, it can expect a result.

Scouting Chile

Age has caught up to this Chilean side. La Roja has stuck with most of the same group that won this tournament eight years ago, but those players are on the wrong side of 30 now. Forward Alexis Sanchez is 35, fellow attacker Eduardo Vargas is 34 and keeper Claudio Bravo is 41. In short, this is a match between an up-and-coming side and one that’s very much on the downhill.

Chile has stubbornly stuck with this group even as the glory days get further away. La Roja seem to think they have one more bit of magic left in them, but the attack hasn’t shown anything to suggest that. In World Cup qualifying for 2026, Chile’s results have all come because they kept a clean sheet. Two of those were scoreless draws, with the third being a 2-0 home win over Peru. The Chileans can defend well, but they have to attack to have any hope to progress.

Best Bets

Canada Win to Nil (+350): This is where it makes sense to get aggressive. Chile isn’t likely to score against Canada’s back line, which proved it could hold Peru last time out. As the match progresses, Chile will have to take more chances. This is where Canada should find the goal it needs.

Both Teams to Score, No (+120): There’s every reason for Canada to sit back and wait for its moment. Chile hasn’t shown that it can attack at all in this tournament, and it’s failed to score in its past five competitive matches. Another zero on the Chilean side means Canada advances.

Canada 1-0 (+700): Chile’s biggest strength is its defense, and Canada doesn’t need to press the issue to win. One goal is all it’s going to take, and odds are that the Canadians find it in the later stages. The goal came in the final 20 minutes against Peru, and a similar timestamp is likely here..