COPA AMERICA 2019 BETTING TIPS

This Copa America edition begins a new and much needed competitive cycle in South America football, which will run all the way to the World Cup in Qatar at the end of 2022.

CONMEBOL nations haven’t played competitive football since last year’s World Cup. Those teams that failed to qualify have had nothing but friendlies since October 2017.

Hosts Brazil and perennial underachievers Argentina are obviously the most talked about nations and the favourites for the continental showpiece.

However, the likes of Colombia, Chile, Venezuela and defiantly Uruguay are always ripe to spoil any developing narrative.

BET: COPA AMERICA 2019

Brazil:

The favourites are Brazil, who have won all four of the previous Copa América they’ve hosted. They’ve also won nine and drawn one of their 10 games since their World Cup quarter-final loss to Belgium.

BET: BRAZIL TOTAL GROUP GOALS

However, their star man Neymar will miss the tournament due to injury. This gives the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino a chance to lead the line. Perhaps even the talented Everton attacker Richarlison.

There will be tons of pressure on the host nation but there is no doubt they have the quality to deliver on some soil.

Bolivia:

Not much is expected from the Bolivians who have traditionally battled to get out of the group stage. They are still no pushovers and opponents can expect a very unsympathetic approach.

Peru:

It’s hard to make a judgement on the enigmatic Peru who can beat anyone, or lose to anyone on their day. They do have a good chance of qualifying for the knockout stage of the Copa America.

Venezuela:

In this group, Venezuela will it’s an opportune moment of progressing to the knockout stages of the competition. Their main man is Newcastle strike Salomon Rondon who provides an attacking threat against any opposition.

BET: GROUP A WINNER

Argentina:

It’s been 26 years since Argentina last won the Copa America. A crazy stat considering the recent assembly line of quality of players the nation has produced.

It could well be that the “golden generation” that triumphed in five Under-20 World Cups in seven tournaments and won Olympic gold in 2004 and 2008 will remain trophyless in senior football.

Of course, the topic must move Lionel Messi’s and the lack of success with Argentina. Could this be the year he drags this squad to glory shut up those who question his credentials in international football?

BET: ARGENTINA TO REACH SEMI-FINAL

Colombia:

This will be Colombia’s first tournament under Carlos Queiroz after the legendary’s José Pekerman’s six years in the job. Colombia is blessed with serious talent but has underwhelmed in recent years. That could change under the veteran Quieroz who engineered the remarkable rise of Iran.

Paraguay:

In a rebuilding phase under new coach Eduardo Berizzo. If they manage to make the knockouts, they will be content considering they face Argentina and Colombia.

Qatar:

One of the two tournament invitees. Qatar’s national team is definitely heading in the right direction under Brazilian coach Felix Sanchez. They’ll be buoyed by their recent Asian Cup success (they beat Japan) and could spring a surprise or two in the Copa America.

BET: GROUP B WINNER

Uruguay:

If Uruguay can keep Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, they’ll back themselves in this tournament especially because they hold it in such high regard.

The Uruguayans are a wily, competitive and united and under long-serving coach Oscar Tabarez, you can expect them to be tough to break down.

Chile:

Chile were back-to-back champions in 2015 and 2016. They’ve since struggled to reach those heights and even failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia last year.

Alexis Sanchez will hope he can reignite the fire in his play, which has been missing at club level and get the Chileans to go deep in this year’s Copa America.

Ecuador:

Ecuador’s football has been on a downward trajectory for the last few years with the failure to put up a fight in World Cup qualification compounding their issues. It would be a huge surprise if they make it out of the group stage.

Japan

Japan is a much better-equipped side compared to the team that struggled to compete in their last Copa America showing 20 years ago. They’ve gone with a young squad but qualification to the final eight is a realistic objective.

BET: GROUP C WINNER

BET: COPA AMERICA 2019 WINNER

BET: COPA AMERICA 2019 GOLDEN BOOT

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