Copa America: Japan v Chile betting preview, tip & TV details

Premier Sports, midnight Monday

It's a step into the unknown for punters as a weakened Japanese outfit get ready to take on Chile in their Copa America opener.

The Asian guests have decided to use this tournament as preparation for next year's home Olympics in Tokyo so 18 players have arrived from the Under-22 side with five experienced players around in Brazil.

To make things even harder to evaluate where this Japan side would be in the world pecking order, manager Hajime Moriyasu selected nearly an almost entirely different team for his warm-up friendlies against Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador from the squad he selected for the Copa.

• Copa America Group C standings

Only seven of the squad have been capped at international level and there is a huge lack experience in this kind of company outside goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, midfielder Gaku Shibasaki and Shinji Okazaki.

All eyes will be on teenager Takefusa Kubo, who has just signed for Real Madrid, but the reality is the outsiders should be outclassed even though Chile look past their best.

The Alexis Sanchez-Arturo Vidal generation is not what it was and the chances are the holders won't play a major part in the latter stages of the Copa but Chile's first opponents appear ill-prepared.

Recommendation
Chile -1 Asian handicap
1pt 3-4 bet365

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Japan
There are no reported injury problems.

Chile
Alexis Sanchez is fit but there are doubts over Nicolas Castillo and Jean Beausejour.

Key stat
Chile have won the last two Copa America titles.

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