Copa America 2021 kicks-off on Sunday 13 June and will conclude with the final on Saturday 10 July, with all the 28 games being broadcast live on the BBC. Here’s the betting odds and some Copa America 2021 predictions…
Copa America 2021 Predictions:
- Outright Winner: Brazil @ 11/8 with Betfair
- Top Goalscorer: Neymar @ 4/1 with bet365**
The tournament has been hastily (and controversially) re-scheduled to take place in Brazil, after it was announced that the original co-hosts – Colombia and Argentina – would be unable to hold the event due to widespread anti-government protests and a surge in COVID-19 cases respectively.
As with the European Championship, the Copa America was originally scheduled to have been played in 2020 (with Conmebol having decided to change the competition calendar so that it now takes place in the same year as the European Championship), but was postponed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brazil, who were also the host nation of the Copa America in 2019, are the defending champions and, with the switch in location for the finals, go into the tournament as favourites to retain the title.
Copa America 2021 Odds
The current best odds for the outright market to win Copa America 2021 going into the tournament are as follows:
- Brazil 11/8 (Betfair)
- Argentina 11/4 (bet365*)
- Colombia 7/1 (bet365*)
- Uruguay 8/1 (Betway)
- Chile 12/1 (BoyleSports)
- Ecuador 40/1 (BoyleSports)
- Paraguay 40/1 (Betfair)
- Peru 40/1 (bet365*)
- Venezuela 66/1 (bet365*)
- Bolivia 150/1 (Betway)
The tournament features the 10 competing teams split into two groups of five, with the top four in each group qualifying for the quarter-finals. The two groups (and current odds to win the groups with bet365*) are split as below:
- Group A: Argentina (4/7); Bolivia (66/1); Uruguay (11/4); Chile (11/2); Paraguay (14/1)
- Group B: Colombia (10/3); Brazil (4/9); Venezuela (20/1); Ecuador (9/1); Peru (14/1)
Preview
Brazil look worthy favourites to win the competition, having a wealth of quality and depth to their squad, in addition to home advantage. The one big concern is that many in their ranks are unhappy that the finals are being held on home soil, with the coronavirus pandemic having been particularly widespread in the country.
Argentina can of course count on the genius of Lionel Messi, while Lautaro Martinez provides another formidable attacking threat. They are somewhat wanting with regards to creativity in the middle of the park though and the defence can also be suspect.
Colombia will be missing the talismanic James Rodriguez and are not the force of old. There’s still plenty of quality in the ranks, with Davinson Sanchez and Yerry Mina form a solid backline and Luis Muriel providing the main goal threat.
Uruguay – With a strike pairing of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, Uruguay can’t be discounted as potential champions. They are also vastly experience at the back and could be a difficult team to beat. On the downside, the midfield isn’t the most creative, although Federico Valverde is coming off the back of a great personal season with Real Madrid.
Chile possess vast experience in their ranks, but it’s a squad that is past its peak. Alexis Sanchez is still the man who can spark Chile, but they look vulnerable defensively and recent results haven’t been great – they are only averaging a point per game in six World Cup qualifiers to date.
Ecuador have made an encouraging start since the appointment of their latest coach, Gustavo Alfaro. However, they are never the same force away from the altitude of Quito. Enner Valencia is a reliable source of goals, but the midfield isn’t the most productive and there aren’t a huge number of international caps among the defenders.
Paraguay – There’s not a great deal of international experience in the Paraguay squad of Eduardo Berizzo. Despite that, they’ve proven to be a difficult team to beat. Unfortunately, they also find it hard to win games themselves and will need leading striker Angel Romero to be close to his best.
Peru were runners-up to Brazil at Copa America 2019, but they haven’t been able to build on that success. Key strikers Jefferson Farfan and Paolo Guerrero are missing and they have been very porous at the back in recent times. There’s little to suggest that Peru are capable of repeating their success from two years ago.
Venezuela are not the regional whipping boys of old, but they still struggle to make a significant impact when facing their regional peers. With Salmon Rondon ruled out, Josef Martinez of Atlanta United will provide the main goal threat. A surprise result or two can’t be ruled out.
Bolivia have won just one of their last 26 Copa America matches and have lost all of their last eight. They do have goals in them in the form of Marcelo Moreno, but away from La Paz it’s difficult to see Bolivia as any sort of threat here.
Copa America Top Goalscorer Odds
In terms of Copa America Top Goalscorer betting, with Brazil widely expected to go far in the tournament, Neymar looks a definite contender at 4/1 with bet365*.
Messi is also 4/1 with Betway, but he’s only scored two penalties in his last six internationals and Argentina haven’t found goals easy to come by of late.
Elsewhere Suarez is 6/1 with Betway, Lautaro Martinez can be backed at 7/1 with Betway, Roberto Firmino is on offer at odds of 14/1 with Betfair, Muriel is also 14/1 with bet365* and Cavani is 14/1 with Betfair.
* Copa America odds correct at the time of writing. All odds subject to change.
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