The 44th Copa America kicks off in Chile this week, presenting various opportunities for football fanatics who want to make their mark at the bookies. Argentina and Brazil are unsurprisingly trading as the competition’s heavy pre-tournament favourites, however, the progress made by sides such as Columbia and Chile during the World Cup means that the outright winners market is flooded with better value under-dog options.
The most talented players from South America, Mexico and Jamaica, will all be vying for a place in the final in Santiago on 4th July, most of whom will be hungry to vindicate their tearful losses at last summer’s World Cup.
Argentina 9/4 to Win
On paper, Argentina are certainly going into this competition with the strongest squad. Messi was arguably the main force behind FC Barcelona’s extraordinary second Treble, scoring a total of 56 goals in the course of the Champions League, and Martino also has the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero at his disposal (the latter scored a hat-trick against Bolivia in their warm up game).
All are set to mount a significant challenge for the title after a disappointing display on home soil last time around. They are tipped with odds of 9/4 by Bookmakers to win.
Brazil 10/3 to Win
But despite Argentina’s evident hunger and intimidating stats, they haven’t won the competition outright in 12 years. By contrast, Brazil have won four of the last six editions, and are consequently second favourites to take the trophy, with Bet365 giving the best odds of 10/3.
Their talented 23-year-old captain Neymar will have to be on top form though, if they want to take home the glory and ease some of the pain from their devastating World Cup knockout. The rest of the squad are significantly lacking in flair.
Uruguay 8/1 to Win
Uruguay are the most successful country in Copa America history and, as defending champions, will also be hopeful of mounting a creditable defence of the trophy. They will, however, be missing their star forward, Luis Suarez, who is still suspended internationally following his nibbling incident with Giorgio Chiellini.
As a result Uruguay have split opinions among the bookies – the best odds are available at just 8/1 with Ladbrokes (but some have put them at 16s).
Messi 3/1 to be Top Goalscorer
With a number of world football’s most talented attacking players on display in Chile, the Copa America 2015 promises plenty of goals.
Although we’ll be treated to the likes of Neymar (6/1 favourite), Sergio Aguero (8/1), Alexis Sanchez (10/1) and Edinson Cavani (14/1), it is the unstoppable Lionel Messi who is the top 3/1 favourite to take home the Gold Boot. He’ll be more than happy to add that trophy to the clean sweep he earned at Barcelona last season.
Argentina vs. Chile 11/2 in Final
Both Argentina and Chile are likely to breeze through their initial group stages, but the hosts may go much further, being tipped by many as a dark horse for the tournament. Bet365 are even trading Chile as an attractive 4/1 outsiders shot to win outright.
Chile have not made a final since 1987, however, this current squad rank inside FIFA’s top-25 footballing countries in the world at the moment – certainly one to look out for.
Luke Rees
Luke is a football fan and writer from London, who covers betting odds in football and other sports.
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