Canada, with odds of +255, will aim to secure a place in the Copa America quarterfinals when it takes on Peru in Orlando on Saturday evening. The Canadians began their campaign with a 2-0 loss to Argentina, but they bounced back by beating Peru. They are now second in Group A, and they should qualify for the knockout stage if they avoid defeat in this game.
However, Chile (+125) could also reach the quarterfinals with a win against Canada. La Roja would move level on points with Canada with the victory, but they would have a superior goal differential. That sets the stage for a tense clash at Inter & Co Stadium this weekend.
Canada vs. Chile live odds
Canada vs. Chile player props
Canada’s path to victory likely includes Jonathan David
Jonathan David scored the only goal in Canada’s 1-0 win against Peru earlier this week. He latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Jacob Shaffelburg and fired a low strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty box. That took his tally to 27 goals in 51 games for Canada, cementing his status as the team’s most dangerous striker.
David is coming off another impressive season for Lille. He scored 19 goals in Ligue 1, leaving him second only to Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot. David is not just a proficient finisher, as he is also quick, his movement is excellent, and he can create chances for his teammates, so he could cause problems for Chile’s solid defense on Saturday.
Chile might have to display more attacking ambition to win
Chile’s forwards have failed to score at this tournament. The team drew 0-0 with Peru on Matchday 1, despite dominating possession in that game, before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Argentina. Manager Ricardo Gareca may be pleased with his team’s resolute defensive displays, but the Chileans will need to display more ambition in attack if they are to beat Canada and book a place in the quarterfinals.
They are not short of attacking talent. Veteran forwards Alexis Sánchez and Eduardo Vargas are the top two goalscorers in Chile’s history, with a combined tally of 93 goals. Darío Osorio and Víctor Dávila provide pace and energy on the flanks, and Ben Brereton Díaz has an eye for goal, too. However, La Roja have been too timid in possession and unwilling to take risks in the final third of the pitch. They will need to release the handbrake on Saturday, as another draw would see them eliminated from the competition.
Canada expected starting 11
Maxime Crépeau will start in goal for Canada on Saturday, with Alastair Johnston at right-back and Derek Cornelius and Moïse Bombito in the center of the defense. Stephen Eustáquio and Ismaël Koné are well-established as Canada’s first-choice midfielders, and they, too, are likely to keep their places in the team.
On Matchday 1, manager Jesse Marsch deployed Alphonso Davies at left-back, with Liam Millar deployed as a left winger and Tajon Buchanan on the right wing. However, he mixed things up against Peru. Davies played as a left winger, Millar started on the right, and Buchanan dropped to the bench. It will be interesting to see if he keeps Davies in a more advanced role on Saturday. Jonathan David will start as a deep-lying striker, with Cyle Larin spearheading the attack.
Chile expected starting 11
Claudio Bravo is Chile’s No. 1 goalkeeper. Gabriel Suazo, Igor Lichnovsky, Pablo Díaz, and Mauricio Isla have formed La Roja’s back four in both games so far, and the manager is unlikely to change the defense on Saturday. Erick Pulgar and Marcelino Núñez formed a midfield pairing on Matchday 1, but Rodrigo Echeverría replaced Núñez against Argentina, so they are competing for a starting berth this weekend.
Alexis Sánchez is Chile’s main man in attack. The Inter Milan forward plays as a No. 10, behind Eduardo Vargas, but he has free rein to drift out wide. Sánchez is 35 years old, and Vargas is 34, so they rely on the younger legs of Darío Osorio and Víctor Dávila in attack. If the manager decides to mix things up, he could hand Ben Brereton Díaz a start, as the Villarreal forward impressed when on loan at Sheffield United last season.
