U.S. bettors were disappointed—and angry—when the U.S. team was defeated by Uruguay last week and therefore missing the knock-out phase of the Copa America tournament. The second-most important international tournament after the World Cup to American squads, the Copa will proceed with 16 teams all vying to become champions. The U.S. team was looking to improve on its World Cup performance, where it made the final 16 but lost in the first round. A shakeup is now sure to occur as the U.S. and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup, especially now that both sides failed to make the final 16.
So the favorite all along, the reigning World Cup champion, Argentina, is now heavily favored to win the Copa America. Even though superstar Lionel Messi missed the final game of the first stage against Peru with a high thigh bruise, Argentina still dominated in a 2-0 victory. He’s expected back in the first game against Ecuador, and Argentina is heavily favored at -220. You can get Ecuador as high as +800 at Caesars Sportsbook.
Argentina is also heavily favored to win the tournament because its path to the final is rather easy. Assuming they get by Ecuador, they would face the winner of the Venezuela-Canada matchup. Although Venezuela won all three games in the first stage, it’s considered a weak sister alongside its South American giants of Argentina, Brazil and Columbia. And the final could pit the La Albiceleste (The White and Sky Blue) against the mighty Brazil or Columbia or Uruguay (iGamingPlayer.com’s pick at the start of the tournament).
Brazil Beats
So what about the outsiders? Brazil always has a chance, years after the legendary Pelé was the Babe Ruth of soccer. But Brazil hasn’t been that mighty lately and squeaked into the quarterfinals, finishing second to Columbia in its group. To get to the semi-finals it has to get past Uruguay. Brazil is slightly favored at +165 to advance versus Uruguay’s +185. But the bet here is the Over/Under. In 4 of the last 5 Brazil matches in the Copa America, the sum of goals was Under 1.5.
Sign up at BetMGM and receive the Best Casino offers Today!
Columbia has a great argument for a fade. Colombia has not lost in the last 25 matches in a row and has won the last 10 matches in a row. When you consider Columbia’s odds to win the Copa at +500, it might be worth a few bucks.
While the U.S. might be out of it, the neighbors to the north inched through. And at +2500, would Canada be worth a spin…. No probably not.
Prop Heaven
So let’s turn to the props. While Argentina’s Messi might be the biggest soccer star in the world right now, his teammate Lautaro Javier Martínez is by far the favorite to score the most goals at -200. Go with Messi and you get 10 times odds at +2000.
But how about Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez, Uruguay’s top scorer? He’s +400 and if his side reaches the final, what a great bet.
OK, I’m sold on Argentina winning the Copa America. Who do they beat for second place. Go with our pick of Uruguay or even Brazil at +500. Or Columbia at +375. Whoever wins or comes in second, you can come in first with a wise betting strategy.
At BetRivers, get 24 hours of your Casino losses back up to $500.
