The three most traditional South American squads are favourites to come out on top of their groups at the main football competition of the continent, set to kick off this Friday (14 June)
With the Copa America only a few days away from beginning, odds favour Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay to be the winners of their respective groups. Featuring 12 teams split into three groups, Brazil will be the hosts of the 46th edition of the tournament, whose first match will be on Friday, 14 June, when the home squadwill take on underdogs Bolivia at Morumbi Stadium in São Paulo.
First things first
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Where should I be investing my money?
Before we examine the odds, we should first have a quick look at the Copa America format, so that you’ll have a better understanding of the competition and be able to place your best possible bets. In it, 12 teams – 10 South Americans and two invited sides, Japan and Qatar, in this edition – are divided into three groups.
Group A consists of hosts Brazil, in addition to Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru. Group B, on the other hand, is comprised of Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay and Qatar, whereas Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay and Japan will face each other in Group C.
The first two best-ranked sides of each group then go on to play the Quarter-Finals of the tournament, whose biggest winners are Uruguay with 15 titles, followed closely by neighbours Argentina, standing at 14 wins.
With eight cups, Brazil are third and looking to use their home advantage to claim their 9th championship. Peru and Chile – who won the last two consecutive editions of the competition – have a pair of titles each, whereas Bolivia and Colombia have only managed to lift one trophy so far.
Brazil luck out on Group A
Five-time World Cup champions Brazil surely cannot complain of their group. With the exception of Peru, who have considerably improved their game and made for some tough clashes against the more traditional South American teams in recent years, Bolivia and Venezuela aren’t squads who usually scare their opponents.
This explains why hosts Brazil lead the odds to win the group at 1.16, with Peru at a distant second, priced at 7.00, according to Oddsshark.Brazil take on Bolivia on the opening match of the tournament on Friday, 14 June in São Paulo, whereas Peru will be able to show whether they really are on the rise against Venezuela on Saturday, 15 June at Porto Alegre’s Arena do Grêmio.
In contrast, Group B looks a lot tighter. With no surprises here, bets put the always performing Argentinian squad, who claimed the first edition of the tournament in 1916, ahead to come out on top of this group at 1.72. Colombia, on the other hand, who boasts the likes of James Rodríguez, Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado, seem to be closing the gap towards Messi & co, with 2.50 chances to lead the group.
Both sides will face off on Saturday, 15 June, on what promises to be the most thrilling match of the first round. Completing Group B, Paraguay and guests Qatar clash on Sunday, 16 June at the iconic Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Uruguay edge past Chile to take Group C
Will two-time World Cup winners and Copa America’s most successful team Uruguay, with 15 titles under their belt, lead Group C standings? Or, perhaps, will it be Chile, who won the last two consecutive editions of the Copa, in 2015 and 2016?
If you haven’t made up your mind yet, know thatOddssharkodds put Suárez&Cavani’s side just slightly ahead at 2.00. However, if you decide to back Chile and place US$ 10 of your money’s worth on them, you could get US$ 25 back.
Therefore, be sure not to miss out on what should be a very interesting group. Belo Horizonte’s Mineirão Stadium will host the Uruguay vs. Ecuador match on Sunday, 16 June. Asian invitees Japan and current champions Chile, in turn, wrap up the first round of the Copa America on Monday, 16 June in São Paulo.
Team odds to win their Copa America groups:
Group A:
Brazil – 1.16
Peru – 7.00
Venezuela – 15.00
Bolivia – 26.00
Group B:
Argentina – 1.72
Colombia – 2.50
Paraguay – 9.00
Qatar – 41.00
Group C:
Uruguay – 2.00
Chile – 2.50
Ecuador – 7.00
Japan – 17.00
