Another of the summer’s big international tournaments kicks off this week. It is the Copa America which starts on June 14th. The Final will be played on July 7th. It is the host nation Brazil, who don’t have the services of Neymar for the event, are going as the outright favourites. With the home support on their side, can they shake off recent disappointments in the tournament to land the title?
Copa America 2019 Winner Odds*
Brazil 11/10
Argentina 7/2
Uruguay 7/1
Colombia 9/1
Chile 12/1
Peru 25/1
Venezuela 40/1
Paraguay 33/1
Ecuador 40/1
Japan 80/1
Qatar 100/1
Bolivia 66/1
* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on June 12th, 2019 at 5:26 pm)
Will Brazil beat Bolivia in Opening Fixture?
The pressure and spotlight is all on 11/10 tournament favourites Brazil then as they are hosts* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on June 12th, 2019 at 5:26 pm). They will be stepping into the curtain raiser at the tournament in the early hours of Saturday (1.30 am UK time) when they take on Bolivia. Bolivia are the rank outsiders for the tournament and are massive 22/1 underdogs to win the opening game* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on June 12th, 2019 at 5:26 pm). Brazil are missing Neymar for the tournament after he picked up an injury during a warm-up fixture Qatar. But still, they hold a W20 D4 L5 record against the Bolivians.
Group Stage Set Up
There are twelve teams competing at the 2019 Copa America. You have the 10 CONMEBOL teams being joined by invitees Japan and Qatar. The improving Qatar took the AFC Asian Cup title this year over Japan.
Group A Winner Odds*
Brazil 1/6, Peru 6/1, Venezuela 14/1, Bolivia 25/1
* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on June 12th, 2019 at 5:26 pm)
This group challenge should be a relatively comfortable ride for Brazil. There is little threat to come for them in this group stage. Bolivia, who are horribly out of form at the moment and with no clue as to where the goal is, having failed to score in five of their last six, aren’t likely to threat. The respective form of both Venezuela and Peru are just totally hit and miss.
Of the two of them, it may be worth backing Venezuela to be the ones to lock in second place behind the Brazilians. They may be pretty erratic at the end of the day but look the more capable of producing the goods on the day, particularly when it comes to a showdown between them and Peru, to take the title. That’s their first game of the group.
Visit Bet365Group B Winner Odds*
Argentina 8/11, Colombia 6/4, Paraguay 8/1, Qatar 40/1
* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on June 12th, 2019 at 5:26 pm)
Argentina are front runners for Group B and it’s pretty hard to argue against that. They have rightly shuffled their squad to get some youth into the lineup which is needed. They have some formidable scoring power up front with Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybal and Lionel Messi is the 3/1 favourite to be the 2019 Copa America top goalscorer* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on June 12th, 2019 at 5:26 pm).
The Albiceleste should find their footing in the group well enough, but there are some tricky challenges in there. Colombia are in good form and will be a threat. Those two meet in the opening group game. That’s some big showdown. AFC Asian Cup Champions Qatar are a team on the up currently and maybe some dark horse threat. They bring an exciting unknown quantity to the mix.
Visit Bet365Group C Winner Odds*
Uruguay even money, Chile 6/4, Ecuador 6/1, Japan 16/1
* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on June 12th, 2019 at 5:26 pm)
Taking a look at how solid Uruguay are, they should be on for a group win here. They probably have the best defensive partnerships of all teams at the tournament in Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez, who are partners at Atletico Madrid. They do have star power up front in Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, who are both 32 years now and it may well be the final Copa America for both. Uruguay’s last appearance in the final four was back in 2004 when they finished third.
Chile are the reigning champions having won the last two editions. Those were both pretty big upsets as well, really leaning on their Golden Generation like Arturo Vidal, Alexi Sanchez and Jean Beausejour. Chile are a pretty ageing side across the back line, as are their key players in the middle of the park. They couldn’t get to the World Cup Finals last year and may struggle at this tournament. Will that open a door for either Ecuador or Japan to grab second? Japan may be the ones to have a look at, since September they have beaten Uruguay in a friendly and recently just lost 1-0 against Colombia in one.
Visit Bet365Top Goalscorer Odds*
Lionel Messi 3/1
Gabriel Jesus 13/2
Luis Suarez 8/1
Edinson Cavani 8/1
Sergio Aguero 9/1
Roberto Firmino 9/1
Richarlison 11/1
Radamel Falcao 16/1
Coutinho 16/1
Jose Paolo Guerrero 20/1
Alexis Sancehz 20/1
25/1 bar
* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on June 12th, 2019 at 5:26 pm)
2019 Copa America Predictions
Brazil have had some major misfires in the last few editions of the Copa America. That may continue here as even though they have been in form, they aren’t all that prolific in front of goal. The loss of Neymar may well affect that further. In recent tournaments, they have shown pretty big frailties mentally when their backs are against the wall. With all of the extra pressure of home advantage for the Samba Boys, it could be too much.
With Messi lining up and having made the final in four of the last five editions, Argentina may be a stronger option this year. Will Messi finally get his first ever international trophy? They have done some good things in getting more youth into their set up, but they don’t quite look as strong as they have been in recent campaigns. But if their front line delivers then they should get close.
Our big tip is going to be Colombia at 9/1 odds* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on June 12th, 2019 at 5:26 pm). While their track record in recent campaigns hasn’t been all that great, they have at least been warming up well. Head coach Carlos Queiroz has a good squad at his disposal and they are a massive attacking unit. If they win their opener against Argentina, it could be game on.
