Argentina Safe Bet vs Ecuador in Copa America Quarterfinals

Argentina vs Ecuador Match Information

• Game: Argentina vs Ecuador
• Date: Thursday, July 4
• Time: 9 p.m. ET
• Location: NRG Stadium, Houston
• Argentina vs Ecuador Live Stream: Fubo.tv

Argentina vs Ecuador Betting Odds

Bet on Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez to Keep Scoring

Everybody wants to see Lionel Messi in action. However, believe it or not, the GOAT hasn’t scored at Copa America 2024. That’s why I recommend you keep an eye on Lautaro Martinez, who scored four of Argentina’s five goals during the Group Stage.

The crazy part is that Martinez, who plays for Inter Milan in the Italian Serie A and won the 2023-24 Golden Boot, only started in one of three matches. Don’t ask me why, but head coach Lionel Scaloni prefers Julian Alvarez.

Most recently, Martinez scored twice in the 2-0 victory over Peru.

A Lautaro Martinez brace secured the win for Argentina vs. Peru in their last group stage game over the night⚽⚽🎯 #CopaAmerica #CopaAmerica2024

(Credit: @CopaAmerica) pic.twitter.com/goXb1RQ0ZT

— Everything-Football TV🌎⚽️ (@EFTV_official) June 30, 2024

Make sure to include Martinez in your soccer picks, even if he doesn’t start because I haven’t told you the best part. Despite being the tournament’s top scorer, he’s offering a +200 price as anytime goalscorer!

Argentina’s defensive unit also deserves some credit since La Albiceleste kept a clean sheet in all three games of the Group Stage. Keep in mind that they faced superstars like Alexis Sanchez, Jonathan David and Gianluca Lapadula. No wonder Messi and company – I’m sorry, Martinez and company – remain the favorites to win the tournament title at +125.

Now, keep in mind that Messi didn’t play against Peru due to a minor injury. He’s expected to play on Thursday, but he may not be at 100 percent, which increases Martinez’s value.

Argentina vs Ecuador Betting Tips

• Argentina won the last meeting between the two 1-0.
• Both scored in one of their last five encounters.
• The total has gone under 2 goals in four of their last five meetings.
• Argentina won the last meeting between the two at Copa America 1-0.
• Ecuador has never beaten Argentina at Copa America.
• Argentina hasn’t conceded a single goal in the tournament.
• Ecuador scored in four of its last five games.
• Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez is the tournament’s top scorer with four goals.

Ecuador: Not Worth the Betting Risk

As mentioned before, Ecuador advanced to the quarterfinals thanks to goal-difference. While the South Americans finished +1, Mexico finished 0. Both finished with four points thanks to a 1-1-1 record.

The two sides collided in the last fixture, finishing with a goalless draw. Kudos to the defensive unit because Mexico won possession with 60 percent and took 20 shots in total, 11 more than Ecuador.

The good news is that center-striker Enner Valencia played after missing the previous match due to suspension. Valencia hasn’t scored in the current edition of the Copa America, but with him leading the way, Ecuador will be able to put up a better fight. He’s the team’s all-time top scorer with 41 goals and offers a +450 price as anytime goalscorer.

Nevertheless, Valencia isn’t enough to take the risk with Ecuador at +700 in the soccer lines. Ecuador hasn’t defeated Argentina since 2015. In fact, La Tricolor didn’t even score in four of their last five meetings, including a friendly match that took place less than a month ago. Argentina ended up winning 1-0.

That won’t be the case on Thursday’s clash because I expect both teams to score, but the point is that Ecuador always struggles when facing Argentina. Plus, the current version of La Tricolor simply doesn’t have what it takes to pull off the stunner. I like Argentina to win 3-1.

Questions of the Day