Copa America Group Stage Odds & Preview: Moneylines, Totals, & Analysis


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Copa America Group Stage Odds & Preview: Moneylines, Totals, & Analysis

Copa America 2024 will get underway when Argentina takes on Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on June 20. Soccer fans can then look forward to seven more games during Matchday 1, including the USA vs. Bolivia and Brazil vs. Costa Rica. We have broken down each match and highlighted the best Copa America odds.

Copa America group stage odds — Matchday 1

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Looking for more information when it comes to the 2024 Copa America? Below, we cover some key resources for betting on more than just group stage odds.

2024 Copa America group stage odds and analysis

Argentina vs. Canada

Argentina ended a 28-year trophy drought when it beat Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final back in 2021. La Albiceleste won the World Cup the following year after holding their nerve in a tense penalty shootout against France. They have picked up 12 wins from 13 games since then, and they are currently No. 1 in the FIFA world rankings. Star player Lionel Messi is now 36, but he shows no signs of slowing down, and he will now try to secure more silverware for his country.

Canada is a heavy underdog for this game. The Canadians finished top of their 2022 World Cup qualifying group, ahead of the USA and Mexico, but they struggled at the tournament. Manager John Herdman then left to take the top job at Toronto FC last year. His replacement, Jesse Marsch, will now try to defy the odds by leading Canada to a famous victory over Argentina. He will rely on the pace and dynamism of Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, and Tajon Buchanan in attack.

Peru vs. Chile

Peru fired manager Juan Reynoso in December 2023 after he presided over a seven-game winless streak. However, the results have improved under new head coach Jorge Fossat. The Peruvians have picked up two wins and a draw from three games since he took the reins, so they can look forward to this tournament with a degree of confidence.

Chile is currently No. 42 in the FIFA world rankings, 10 points below Peru. However, La Roja beat Peru 2-0 when the teams met in October. There is an experienced core to this team, including goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, defender Mauricio Isla, and forwards Alexis Sánchez and Eduardo Vargas. However, younger players such as Ben Brereton Diaz and Marcelino Núñez may also need to shine if Chile is to beat its northern neighbor at AT&T Stadium on June 21.

Ecuador vs. Venezuela

Ecuador is unbeaten in its last five competitive matches. La Tricolor beat Uruguay, Bolivia, and Chile, and drew with Venezuela and Colombia. They have since lost friendlies to Italy and Argentina, but their record in competitive games remains impressive. Chelsea star Moisés Caicedo will serve as this team’s midfield general at Copa America, and veteran striker Enner Valencia could be dangerous in attack.

Venezuela finished rock bottom of South America’s World Cup 2022 qualifying group, with 14 defeats in 18 games. However, La Vinotinto have turned things around under new manager Fernando Batista, and they are also on a five-game unbeaten streak in competitive games. They held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw in November 2023, so they will be undaunted by the prospect of facing La Tricolor on Matchday 1.

Mexico vs. Jamaica

Mexico clinched an impressive 3-0 victory over Jamaica when these teams clashed in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals last year. Goals from Henry Martín, Luis Chávez, and Roberto Alvarado earned El Tri the win at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas that day. That should provide the players with confidence as they prepare to take on Jamaica on Matchday 1.

Jamaica beat Panama 1-0 to clinch third place in the CONCACAF Nations League back in March. Since then, the Reggae Boyz have beaten the Dominican Republic and Dominica in a pair of World Cup qualifiers. However, they face a sterner test of their mettle against Mexico on June 22. They will be without injured forwards Leon Bailey and Demarai Gray, but West Ham’s Michail Antonio and Fulham’s Bobby Decordova-Reid are both available to face Mexico.

United States vs. Bolivia

The USMNT should enjoy strong home support when they take on Bolivia at AT&T Stadium in Texas on June 22. They secured a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Mexico in the Nations League final earlier this year, which boded well for their chances at Copa America. However, a 5-1 defeat to Colombia in a pre-tournament friendly on June 8 has dampened expectations. Yet manager Gregg Berhalter still has a talented group of players at his disposal, led by Christian Pulisic, so the USA is the clear favorite to beat Bolivia on Matchday 1.

Bolivia has a strong home record, as opponents tend to struggle when playing at high altitudes in La Paz. La Verde’s away record is a lot less impressive, so they are underdogs for their opener against the USA. However, the Bolivians produced a pretty solid performance when losing 1-0 to Mexico in a friendly earlier this month, so the USA cannot afford to take them lightly.

Uruguay vs. Panama

Uruguay is among the favorites to win Copa America this summer. José Giménez, Mathïas Olivera, Manuel Ugarte, Federico Valverde, and Darwin Núñez provide the team with a strong spine, and veteran striker Luis Suárez offers an interesting option off the bench. La Celeste warmed up for this tournament by easing to a 4-0 victory over Mexico. Núñez fired in a hat-trick, and Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri was also on target. They should now be full of confidence as they gear up for Matchday 1.

Some sportsbooks make Panama a underdog for this game, which reflects the perceived gulf in class between the two teams. Panama is No. 45 in the FIFA world rankings, 30 places below Uruguay, and recent results have been a little underwhelming, so the Panamanian players will need to dig deep in order to win this game.

Colombia vs. Paraguay

Colombia extended its winning streak to seven games when it beat the USA 5-1 at FedExField on June 8. Star player Luis Díaz is mining a rich vein of form right now, while fellow forwards Rafael Borré, James Rodríguez and Jhon Arias are also playing well. Colombia has climbed up to No. 12 in the FIFA world rankings, and it is the clear favorite to beat Paraguay.

It finished 1-0 to Colombia when these teams met in Asunción in November 2023. Paraguay is now winless in its last five games against Colombia. However, La Albirroja boast a talented attacking unit, which features Newcastle’s Miguel Almíron and Brighton’s Julio Enciso, so they could cause problems for Colombia’s defense in this game.

Brazil vs. Costa Rica

Brazil will be without star player Neymar at this tournament, as he is sidelined with a long-term knee injury. However, manager Dorival Júnior will still have an embarrassment of attacking riches at his disposal. Real Madrid duo Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo are in the squad, along with Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli, Sávio, and Evanlison. Then there’s Endrick, the 17-year-old sensation who has scored three goals in five games since breaking into the team.

Costa Rica’s defense could have its work cut out against that formidable attack. However, Los Ticos have only lost once in their last six games, which could provide the players with a measure of encouragement. Yet they are huge underdogs with some sportsbooks for this game, which highlights the enormity of the task they face.

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