Group B of this summer’s Copa America tournament could be the most competitive set of teams in the group stage ahead of the quarter-finals.
Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela and Jamaica will battle it out with the two top teams advancing to the last eight of Copa America 2024. While El Tri will be favorites to finish at the summit of Group B, Ecuador and Jamaica could make some noise and make it tricky for Jaime ‘Jimmy’ Lozano’s side to claim three wins and nine points in group stage play.
The top team in Group B play will square off against runners-up from Group A — which could end up being Chile or Canada should Argentina finish in first place with Peru unlikely to get much out of the group stage. The nation in second place in the group will face off against the first-placed team from Group A — which is likely to be current holders and 2022 World Cup winners Argentina.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Group B at this summer’s Copa America.
Piero Hincapie leads the Ecuador defense / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages
Ecuador could contest Mexico for the top spot in Group B with their underrated squad. Piero Hincapie — who’s fresh off a Bundesliga title-winning campaign with Bayer Leverkusen — will look to lead the backline alongside Eintracht Frankfurt’s Willian Pacho.
Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo and former LAFC figure Jose Cifuentes will make up part of the midfield, while Jeremy Sarmiento and Enner Valencia could shoulder the attacking duties up front.
Jamaica can rely on Michail Antonio / Matthew Ashton – AMA/GettyImages
Jamaica will be hopeful of reaching the quarter-finals even without star winger Leon Bailey. The Aston Villa figure isn’t missing out through injury, but instead chose to take some time off from international football due to the Jamaican Football Federation’s unprofessionalism.
However, the Reggae Boyz can still rely on Michail Antonio and Demarai Gray up front, while Damion Lowe and Joel Latibeaudiere anchor the backline. Star goalkeeper Andre Blake will hope to return from his knee injury in time in Jamaica’s bid to reach the quarter-finals.
Gimenez hopes to lead Mexico to a deep Copa America run / Jam Media/GettyImages
Despite Group B being arguably the most competitive group in Copa America 2024, Mexico will fancy their chances of getting at least a couple of wins to progress to the knockout stage.
The iconic Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa wasn’t selected in Lozano’s squad for the competition, meaning Luis Malagon will get the starting nod in between the sticks. Lozano also left out Jesus Gallardo and Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano, a bold move by the head coach as the latter was typically performed well for El Tri when fit and ready for selection.
Gimenez, Julian Quinones and Uriel Antuna will more than likely form the front three for Mexico as they aim to go far in the competition.
Jefferson Savarino leads the attack for Venezuela / Daniel Apuy/GettyImages
Venezuela on paper may have the weakest squad out of the teams in Group B, but they still might be able to pull off three points against Jamaica. Anything can happen in football, or so they say.
Jefferson Savarino, Jose Rondon, Jose Martinez and Yordan Osorio headline the Venezuela squad as they face the steep challenge of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Matchday 1
Matchday 2
Matchday 3
Matchday 1
Matchday 2
Matchday 3
Position
Nation
Predicted Points
1.
Mexico
7
2.
Ecuador
7
3.
Venezuela
3
4.
Jamaica
0
Source link : https://www.90min.com/posts/copa-america-2024-group-b-preview
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Publish date : 2024-05-28 03:00:00
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