The Copa America is a great spectacle of tough South American football. It’s a great celebration which never seems to come around quickly enough. It is Brazil who are playing the hosts for this year’s edition. The Selecao are trading at the 11/10 outright favourite* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on June 14th, 2019 at 11:30 pm).
But that, of course, is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to betting on the Copa America 2019.
It has been Chile who has upset the field in the last two editions, knocking off Argentina in both finals. But the Golden Generation of Chile looks to be done and dusted. They appear to be struggling going back into their title defence.
Here are the top five tips for the Copa America 2019
Betting Tip 1: Colombia 9/1 Outright Winners
Unibet have left Colombia dangling out as a 9/1 chance to lift the trophy this summer* (betting odds taken from Unibet on June 14th, 2019 at 11:30 pm). That to us represents some great value. Los Cafeteros have had a good build-up to the tournament. Plus they have the experienced Carlos Queiroz in charge. Colombia have won eight of their last eleven games played now. That’s going back to their World Cup 2018 which was ended on a penalty shootout by England.
They had a good qualification process before that and they will be looking for their second Copa America title to add to their 2001 success. The Colombians are still driven by James Rodriguez in the middle of the park. On top they have some good young options at the peak of their game. They are heavily reliant still on Radamel Falcao who needs a big tournament for them. But they could have a secret weapon Duvan Zapata. He scored 23 goals in 37 games for Atalanta last season. They are to be respected in the tournament.
Backing Colombia to win outright at Unibet
Betting Tip 2: Richarlison Top Scorer 10/1
Yes, the Top Goalscorer market at any major tournament is a crapshoot. That’s just par for the course really. Lionel Messi is the obvious front runner but is not value at all trading at 3/1 odds to get the Golden Boot* (betting odds taken from Coral on June 14th, 2019 at 11:30 pm). Neither really is Gabriel Jesus as the Brazilian national side haven’t seen the best of him yet. Then you have the ageing legs of main contenders Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Sergio Aguero and Radamel Falcao in there. We are going to overlook all of them.
Brazil are without their main striker Neymar for this competition, so someone is really going to have to step up to fill his boots. Why not Richarlison who has five goals in 11 appearances for his country and at just 22 has plenty of running in him? He has a much better strike rate than Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino at the international level and could make a huge impact. Richarlison is a 10/1 option at Coral* (betting odds taken from Coral on June 14th, 2019 at 11:30 pm)
Backing Richarlison Top Goalscorer at Coral
Betting Tip 3: Qatar – Draw Double Chance v Paraguay
Qatar are bringing some form into the tournament. As the AFC Asian Cup champions, they got an invite (along with Japan who they beat in the final). This is a random pick for a betting tip at the Copa America 2019 but Qatar, having won all seven matches at the Asian Cup (conceding just one goal) and winning twelve of their last sixteen games (D1 L3) may not be a pushover here. They are going up first against Paraguay in the group stage on Sunday, June 116th at 8.00 pm.
Paraguay have been pretty hopeless in terms of form. They are W1 D1 L2 this calendar year with that win coming against low-ranked side Guatemala. Paraguay were winless in seven games before that (D2 L5) stretching back to their World Cup qualifiers in October 2017. They have just one clean sheet in ten, from their recent win over Guatemala. They may well be stumped by an energetic and confident Qatar. A Qatar – Draw Double Chance is 6/5 at Bet365* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on June 14th, 2019 at 11:30 pm)
Backing Qatar – Double Chance at Bet365
Betting Tip 4: Brazil Semi Final Stage of Elimination
Brazil have not been at their best in recent Copa America tournaments. There is a chance that they are going to come up short again. The loss of Neymar can be indicated as a key point for them not going all the way this time either. They seem to lose their way later in tournaments and that hints at a mentality issues. We expect them to win their group, but then to hit a brick wall in the knockouts.
The tournament is wide open and Brazil don’t look to be as clear front runners at the bookmakers have them. They have not conceded many goals for a long time but you wonder if that is going to collapse at some point. You also have to wonder if the pressure of having to deliver the title on home soil is going to bear heavily down on them. They are 4/1 to go out at in the final four with Paddy Power* (betting odds taken from Paddy Power on June 14th, 2019 at 11:30 pm).
Backing Brazil Semi Final Stage of Elimination at Paddy Power
Betting Tip 5: Argentina to Reach Final
Well, this looks to be an obvious one. Argentina don’t actually look quite as strong as they have been in the last couple of years. They have tried to get some younger players in the squad which is going to help them enormously. They have the best forward line of all squads in the tournament and that should help them out even if they aren’t playing all that well. Given their track record of having been placed in four of the last five Copa America Finals, they look a handy 7/5 quote with Betfair to get back the showcase match. They would love to win in certainly in the backyard of their greatest rivals* (betting odds taken from Betfair on June 14th, 2019 at 11:30 pm).
