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Main South American national team competition kicks off this Friday (14 June) in São Paulo, with the home side leading the odds to lift the trophy
The football world has its eyes set on the South American continent, where Brazil will host the 46th Copa America. Despite the absence of their main player, Neymar Jr. due to an injury in their last week’s friendly against Qatar, the famous yellow jersey team is looking to start things off well in their opening match against Bolivia and go on to claim their 9th title. Could Messi & co stop them, though?
First things first
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Where should I be investing my money?
Ah, Brazil and Argentina. One of the fiercest, most thrilling and traditional rivalries, if not the biggest classic national team clash in football. Obviously, then, both sides have the highest stakes of taking this Brazil-hosted edition of the Copa America.
Although coach Tite’s squad will not be able to rely on star Neymar Jr., Brazil’s home advantage puts them ahead in the books at 2.25 to be the champions and celebrate in front of their fans. Their campaign kicks off against underdogs Bolivia on Friday, 14 June.
Next come – you guessed it – Argentina, who in spite of their senior team not having lifted any trophies also in a Copa America sinceway back in 1993, are always strong contenders no matter where they play. They are priced at 4.75 to claim the cup at their arch-rival’s home turf.Messi, Aguëro and Dybala will first face Colombia on Saturday, 15 June.
Can Uruguay pull off another major upset on Brazilian soil?
The ‘Celeste’ or Uruguay is known for their grit and for always playing with their heart. Their classic 1950 World Cup final 2-1 win against home team Brazil, leaving 150.000 fans attending Maracanã Stadium stunned, is a good example of what they’re able to achieve on their neighbour’s turf.
Featuring the deadly goal-scoring duo of Suárez and Cavani, who were key in Uruguay’s solid Quarter-Final campaign in Russia last year, where they lost to future champs France 2-0, they’re the third favourites to take the trophy, with odds at 8.00, according to Oddsshark.
Suárez, in particular, may be keen to make a new impression on Brazilian soil, since his last competition in the country brings back memories of being sent off after the famous biting incident against Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during the Uruguay and Italy clash in the first round of the 2014 World Cup. The Uruguayan’s opening match is on Sunday, 16 June against Ecuador.
Featuring skilled players like James Rodríguez, RadamelFalcão and Juan Cuadrado, Colombia have been on the rise in recent years. They had an epic clash against Brazil at the 2014 World Cup Quarter-Finals in Brazil, with the home side struggling to come out 2-1 on top, and also boasted a solid campaign in Russia. Ranked 4that 8.00 to be the victors, if you place US$ 5 on Colombia, you could make a profitable US$ 40 on your money.
Chile: from winners of the last two editions to 5th favourites
Another squad that should never be overlooked, despite failing to qualify for last year’s World Cup, is Chile, who shares Group C with Uruguay, Ecuador and Japan – one of the two non-South American teams invited to the competition, alongside Qatar.
Once a side that always seemed to fall short when push came to shove, don’t rule outAlexis Sánchez and Arturo Vidal’s ‘La Roja’ just yet, since they won the two last consecutive editions of the competition in 2015 and 2016, defeating Argentina on both occasions.
At 12.00 to claim their third Copa America title, followed by neighbours Peru, who are ranked 6th and priced at 21.00 to take their first ever trophy back to Lima, Chile will show whether they are serious contenders for the cup on their Monday, 17 June debut against Asian underdogs Japan.
Be sure to check the ranking and odds of the favourite national teams to take this edition of the Copa America below.
Favourite teams to claim the Copa America trophy, according to Oddsshark
(2.25) Brazil
(4.75) Argentina
(8.00) Uruguay
(9.00) Colombia
(12.00) Chile
(21.00) Peru
(34.00) Paraguay
(41.00) Venezuela
(41.00) Ecuador
(51.00) Bolivia
(51.00) Japan
(81.00) Qatar
