Copa America 2015: TV, Live Stream Schedule, Predictions for Friday Fixtures

One of the most enamouring facets of the 2015 Copa America and other recent editions of this unique tournament is the manner in which the outsiders can spring a surprise.

Already in this competition we’ve seen Paraguay hold Argentina, Venezuela beat Colombia, Bolivia topple Ecuador, Peru scare Brazil and a second-string Mexico push hosts Chile in a pulsating 3-3 draw. It makes every match of this competition an unmissable occasion, and Friday’s pair of fixtures are no different.

Here’s all the key details you need ahead of the game’s between Mexico and Ecuador, as well as the clash between hosts Chile and a resurgent Bolivia.

Fixture	Time	Venue
Mexico vs. Ecuador	10 p.m. (BST), 5 p.m. (ET)	Rancagua
Chile vs. Bolivia	12:30 a.m. (BST, June 17), 7:30 p.m. (ET)	Santiago

TV coverage for matches will be on beIN Sports (U.S.) and Premier Sports (UK)

Both matches can be streamed via beIN Sports Play (U.S.)

Mexico vs. Ecuador

Natacha Pisarenko/Associated Press

Everything remains up for grabs in Group A, and although neither Mexico nor Ecuador will occupy one of the two automatic qualifying spots ahead of the game, each can enrich their chances of progression with a win in this encounter.

Mexico have the best chance of making it through. The aforementioned six-goal thriller kept their unbeaten record intact at this tournament, but Miguel Herrera’s men have turned in two hugely contrasting performances so far, drawing both games.

Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press

However, a win here would almost certainly guarantee their spot in the knockout stages. As noted by Tom Marshall of ESPN.com, El Tri really battled for their point against the hosts:

Matias Vuoso was the hero in that clash, grabbing two goals in a pulsating 90 minutes. With plenty of Mexico’s star names absent, he’s a player who seems to be relishing the responsibility of being this team’s talisman. Now the challenge is to preserve these levels against Ecuador, who have had a wretched tournament to date.

Jorge Saenz/Associated Press

An opening-day loss to Chile was expected for this team, but the 3-2 defeat against Bolivia, who many expected to be the Group A whipping boys, was a major surprise for La Tricolor. As we can see here courtesy of Goal UK, Ecuador have been incredibly profligate in front of goal:

With that in mind, expect Mexico to play on those hesitancies, sit back and spring on the counter-attack in an attempt to win this one. That’s when Herrera’s side are at their best, and with Ecuador knowing only a win will do if they’re to qualify as one of the top third-placed teams, they’ll have to come out and attack.

El Tri will relish soaking up the pressure and springing through their effervescent attacking talent, taking a narrow win that should see them through to the quarter-finals.

Prediction: Mexico 1-0 Ecuador

Chile vs. Bolivia

Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press

With the aforementioned clash played earlier on in the day, both Chile and Bolivia will know what’s needed to secure their place in the last eight of the competition. If Mexico do win, this could be a thrilling finale to Group A.

Although they’re sat on four points from two games, Bolivia remain big underdogs against the hosts. Up to now their performances have been admirable, grinding out results, defending for their lives and riding their luck as well. As noted by Jonathan Wilson of the Guardian, this team have overcome some big mental hurdles too:

Qualifying for the knockout stages would be a major bonus, so perhaps Bolivia will play with some freedom. Even so, the hosts should have enough to take all three points, even if their own preparations have been far from ideal.

Luis Hidalgo/Associated Press

After a hard-earned win over Ecuador to start the tournament off, Jorge Sampaoli will be disappointed his team didn’t take all three points against Mexico.

Off the pitch, there has been major disruption too. As noted here by AS English, key midfielder Arturo Vidal, who bagged a brace in the clash against Mexico, has been in court after being charged with drink driving:

It remains to be seen whether the Juventus star will feature for Chile against Bolivia. Even if he is fit to play, Sampaoli has a big decision to make and plenty of factors to consider.

However, even with the disruption in the build-up to this match and the prospect of potentially being without their star midfield man, La Roja will be far too strong for Bolivia. Expect the hosts to turn in a rounded performance and shift the focus of this fanatical football nation away from off-field issues and back to their team's pursuit of glory.

Prediction: Chile 3-0 Bolivia