Uruguay vs Nicaragua Prediction & Betting Tips - International Friendlies

Prediction published on 12/06/2023, 18:11  by Sridhar in Football Predictions

Uruguay will look to start afresh under new manager Marcelo Bielsa as they host Nicaragua at Montevideo in a friendly. The hosts are playing just their third match of the calendar year. They drew 1-1 against Japan before winning 2-1 against South Korea in their friendlies against the Asian nations in March. This came on the back of a poor World Cup campaign where they couldn’t qualify for the knockouts. A goalless draw with South Korea followed by a 2-0 loss to Portugal nearly ended their chances. Although they won 2-0 against Ghana in their last league game, it wasn’t enough to qualify out of the group. Bielsa has already made a number of personnel changes to the squad. There’s a youthful look to the attack with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani sitting out along with Darwin Nunez. The likes of Facundo Pellistri and Brian Rodriguez could get chances in their absence.

Nicaragua are looking to ramp up their Gold Cup preparations and will be gunning an upset. They are coming off a 3-2 loss to Panama in a friendly where they failed to hold on to their lead twice. This came on the back of a positive CONCACAF Nations League campaign. The visitors earned their promotion by topping Group C of the League B campaign where they edged Trinidad and Tobago. That said, the incremental difference in the quality of opposition they are going to face in this match will be high. Nicaragua have always struggled against top teams as can be seen from their defeats to Iran and Ghana last year, both coming without scoring. That could once again be the case here against a recharged Uruguayan side.