Argentina

Bolivia and Colombia have both managed to frustrate Sergio Bastia’s Argentina, with Bolivia grabbing a 1-1 draw and Colombia holding out for a 0-0 stalemate.

However, Bastia is confident they can secure victory over Costa Rica in their final Group A fixture and book a spot in the knock-out stages.

“The things are not going the way they were in the friendly matches. No one expected this kind of game, nothing comes out the way we expected,” Batista said.

“I remain confident about these players, they are very good. We’re a little slow in the front. This does not require major change, we will play with two defensive midfielders and maybe one more winger, one man is missing in the area.

“We have a game against Costa Rica, and we can have five points to qualify. We need to keep calm, think it is a final and come out with this mentality.”

Argentina certainly boast plenty of quality amongst their ranks, including Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez and Atletico Madrid frontman Sergio Aguero, and Basita will be desperate for his star men to replicate their club form for their country.

Bolivia can take a massive step towards reaching the next stage of the Copa America with a victory over Costa Rica on Thursday night.

The Bolivians took an improbable lead over Argentina in their opening fixture before being pegged back and they’re evens to take maximum points on Thursday, while the draw is 11/5 and Costa Rica are 5/2.

Bolivia will have been given a massive boost in confidence following their display against Argentina and they should prove too strong for minnows Costa Rica.

However, neither Bolivia nor Costa Rica are particularly blessed in terms of attacking talent and a single goal could separate the two sides, with under 2.5 goals priced at 8/11.

On Friday, Uruguay take on Chile in what could well prove to be an interesting contest.

Uruguay are the slight favourites at 7/5, while Chile are 7/4 and the draw is 21/10. Chile have plenty of attacking talent, including one of the most wanted men this summer – Udinese schemer Alexis Sanchez – but Uruguay are a well organised and efficient unit, with some talented players of their own.

Chile saw off Mexico in their opening fixture, while Uruguay were held by Peru, and the fixture does promise to be a close encounter.

Uruguay will be desperate to grab their first win of the tournament and should be able to get the better of Chile.

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Ferdinand was sent for a scan on the injury and, after limping away from the hospital on crutches, it appeared the Manchester United defender had picked up a serious problem.

It was then subsequently confirmed that he would miss England’s campaign – which gets underway against USA a week on Saturday – in what is a major blow to coach Fabio Capello’s plans (England to win 2-1 – 7/1).

Ferdinand was expected to partner John Terry at the heart of the England defence but now the Italian will have to find his replacement with Ledley King, Jamie Carragher and the now called-up Michael Dawson in contention for a starting berth.

The injury will come as a shock to the England camp just a day into their preparations for the tournament but gives Dawson, who narrowly missed out on Capello’s final 23-man squad, the chance to earn his first cap later this month.

Ferdinand has struggled with several injury problems of late and a combination of back and calf problems meant he missed large chunks of the season with Manchester United in the season that has just finished.

He was set to figure in his fourth World Cup but now faces up to the prospect of cheering his team-mates on from the sidelines with Liverpool star Steven Gerrard ready to be promoted to skipper for the campaign.

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