Uruguay are heavy favourites for Tuesday night's friendly clash with Cuba at Estadio Centenario.

Marcelo Bielsa's first game in charge of La Celeste went accordingly, with a 4-1 thrashing of Nicaragua on Wednesday in Montevideo, while their opponents were beaten 3-0 by Chile.

Match preview

Two goals in each half for Uruguay saw them open a four-goal advantage over Nicaragua before the latter scored a late consolation strike.

Not even a missed Matias Arezo penalty sandwiched between the same player opening the scoring and Rodrigo Zalazar making it 2-0 seven minutes before the break could diminish the home side's flow.

It was Bielsa's first game since accepting the Uruguay job last month, and they got off to a commendable start, even if the quality of the opponent should be considered.

La Celeste secured a comfortable victory despite the absence of the side's notable frontmen Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez, with Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde also not in the squad.

The demanding Bielsa will seek another strong performance on Tuesday night, even if the Sky Blue have nothing riding on the outcome in Montevideo.

As for Cuba, whose Gold Cup campaign begins against Guatemala on June 28, a 3-0 defeat suffered at the hands of Chile was expected against a superior opponent.

The Lions of the Caribbean are ranked 132 places below the side they faced last week, and that difference in class was evident in the loss.

Two Marcelino Nunez goals either side of Rodrigo Echeverria's 27th-minute strike sealed a comfortable win for La Roja, and a similar outcome is expected against Uruguay.

Pablo Elier Sanchez's team were on a five-game unbeaten competitive run — seven without being beaten if friendly games are included — before losing heavily to Chile, so they could not be accused of lacking confidence beforehand.

Another superior opponent awaits — Uruguay are 149 places above the Caribbean nation — this week, with the less fancied Cuba looking to rain on Bielsa's parade, albeit in a friendly clash.

With their tournament commencing versus Guatemala on June 28, Sanchez's team could show their readiness with a strong showing in their final Gold Cup tune-up fixture on Tuesday.

Team News

With Uruguay's squad not including the nation's experienced stars — Suarez and Cavani —the country's future — Nunez, Valverde, Ronald Araujo and Manuel Ugarte — or injured stars like Rodrigo Bentancur and Ronald Araujo, Bielsa group comprises several unusual faces.

Zalazar, Uruguay's two-goal man last time out, should feature following a first-rate debut, while Facundo Pellistri — provider of two assists against Nicaragua — could get another run-out.

Greibel Palma seemed to go off with an injury against Chile, and Neisser Sando may replace the Cuba wide defender in the line-up.

Sanchez is unlikely to deviate from the 5-4-1 utilised against Chile, even if that approach could not prevent a 3-0 loss.

Uruguay possible starting lineup:
Israel; Mendez, Caceres, Vina, Olaza; Martinez, Zalazar; Pellestri, Araujo, Rodriguez; Arezo

Cuba possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Sando, Mendez, Piedra, Cavafe, Rodriguez; Paradela, Hernandez, Perez, Mastos; Ruiz

We say: Uruguay 2-0 Cuba

Despite Uruguay's absent stars, Bielsa's men are the better side, and that quality should be evident in a routine victory for La Celeste against Cuba.


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