lionel messi
Lionel Messi is not expected to start for Argentina when they face Chile in their opening game of Copa America 2016 Getty

Argentina take on Chile in the 2016 Copa America Centenario Group D clash at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on 6 June, Monday.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is at 3am BST (on Tuesday). Live coverage of the match is available on Premier Sports in the United Kingdom.

Overview

The favourites to win the competition, Argentina come to USA with expectations at an all-time high considering the squad at their disposal. Gerardo Martino has arguably the best forward line currently present in football and if you don't win a tournament with Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria then you are not going to win it with anyone else.

Despite boasting such riches in their team, La Albiceleste have failed to impress at global tournaments. In fact, Argentina have not won a major title in 23 years; the last time they won anything of note was the Copa America way back in 1993.

Lionel Messi, who picked up a back injury while playing Honduras on 27 May, is not expected to start but will be on the substitutes' bench. However, they have a number of options on the bench with Nicholas Gaitan most likely to start.

Their opponents, defending champions Chile, have worries of their own heading into the clash. They have struggled to win games since Juan Antonio Pizzi took over from Jorge Sampaoli, losing four out of their last five games played.

Midfield dynamo Arturo Vidal hurt his shin in their 1-0 loss to Mexico but is expected to play, with the South Americans looking to revisit memories of last edition's final where they beat Argentina to clinch the Copa America.

Prediction

  • Argentina to win

Betting Odds (betfair)

  • Argentina to win: 5/4
  • Draw: 11/5
  • Chile to win: 11/4

Team News

Argentina

Possible XI: Romero, Mercado, Otamendi, Funes Mori, Rojo, Fernandez, Mascherano, Gaitan, Banega, Di Maria, Higuain.

Chile

Possible XI: Bravo, Fuenzalida, Medel, Roco, Mena, Aranguiz, Diaz, Vidal, Vargas, Pinilla, Sanchez.

Argentina Lionel Messi