Copa América 2019 Group B Odds & Preview: Argentina Favored at -175 to Win Group
- Argentina are -175 odds-on favorites to win Group B at Copa America 2019
- The Argentines won their group at Copa America in 2015 and 2016
- Colombia pipped Argentina for the Group A title in 2011
Will Copa America 2019 finally offer a chance for Lionel Messi to celebrate in an Argentina uniform? The veteran striker makes another bid with his country’s national team to win an honor while wearing the light blue and white stripes.
Sportsbooks lists the Argentines as the overwhelming -175 chalk to capture Group B in the preliminary stages of the tournament in their Copa America odds.
2019 Copa America Group B Winner Odds
| Country | Odds |
|---|---|
| Argentina | -175 |
| Colombia | +150 |
| Paraguay | +800 |
| Qatar | +2200 |
*Odds taken on 06/08/19.
The Copa America gets underway June 14 in Brazil. Argentina are grouped with Colombia, Paraguay and Qatar.
Argentina Wants To Win It For Messi
Messi’s striking partner Sergei Arguero shares the same dream of every Argentinian. He longs to see captain Messi carried on the shoulders of his teammates, holding aloft a championship trophy.
Argentina hasn’t won an international event since the 1993 Copa America. Messi is the star of the team. As such, he’s taken the heat for the more recent failures.
The thing of all wishes in sports other than Argentina winning the World Cup with Messi in 2022 is that Argentina wins copa America and Messi FINALLY gets a international trophy he deserves it more than any player you’ll EVER see play, this squad is awesome. pic.twitter.com/VZmT7hD8De
— Joseph ?? (@JosephFXI) June 6, 2019
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni put the pressure squarely on Messi’s shoulder. He insists the country will do fine. Their skipper just needs to perform like he does every Sunday for Barcelona in La Liga.
Messi topped all European scorers this season with 51 goals in 50 matches. Arguero belted 32 goals home in 46 games this season for Manchester City. Finding the back of the net shouldn’t be an issue for the Argentines.
Lionel Messi on Argentina's Copa America chances: "We are not candidates like other times. We will go with the same dreams and excitement as always, but the reality is that Argentina is going through a process of change." pic.twitter.com/3frurbFEHm
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) June 6, 2019
Argentina lost to Chlie in each of the last two Copa America finals. However, Messi is downplaying their chances this time around. He insists they are a young squad with many first-time national team players who need to learn the ins and out of international tournament competition.
It’s a nice narrative but don’t buy it for a moment. Argentina thrashed Nicarauga 5-1 in a Friday friendly.
That Rich Colombian Flavor
Colombia is the last country to go through to a Copa America title without dropping a point. That was in 2001 and the Colombians didn’tt concede a goal the entire tournament.
Results fell off after that heroic performance. Colombia was knocked out in the preliminary stage of the 2002 World Cup and failed to qualify in 2006 and 2010.
On the rebound in 2014, Colombia reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time. In the 2016 Copa America, Colombia finished third. Portugal’s Carlos Queiroz, who took Iran to the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, is Colombia’s new manager.
? 67 games
⚽ 15 goals
?♂️ 20 assists
????? 5 titlesThanks for everything, @jamesdrodriguez ? pic.twitter.com/gQ6d5Oy8QO
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) June 5, 2019
Midfielder James Rodriguez spent the last two seasons on loan from Real Madrid to Bayern Munich. Rodriguez scored 15 goals as the German side won consecutive Bundesliga titles. He’s not returning to Bayern next season and Real Madrid doesn’t want Rodriguez back.
Big fan of this post from former #mufc assistant manager Carlos Queiroz ahead of Copa America. Colombia are in good hands!
Good luck, Carlos! pic.twitter.com/4BtepZNkIU
— RedReveal (@RedReveal) May 31, 2019
Italian sides Napoli and Juventus are listed as favorites to be his next destination.
Striker Radamel Falcao has scored 34 times in 84 games for his country.
Paraguay Far Away
Paraguay has endured an 0-2-1 lead up to the tournament from friendlies. That doesn’t offer much hope that the Paraguayians will be a factor in this group. Argentine Eduardo Berizzo was handed the reigns of the team earlier this year. It’s his first assignment as a national team manager.
⚪? #Albirroja
?? Amistoso Internacional
⏳ 16' | GOOOOL DE OSCAR CARDOZO
?? #Paraguay 1️⃣-0️⃣ #Honduras
⚽️ #ElSueñoQueNosUne ?? pic.twitter.com/ibizFOBOGN
— Selección Paraguaya (@Albirroja) June 5, 2019
Paraguay has failed to qualify for the past two World Cups. The Paraguayians finished last in their group at Copa America 2016, going 0-2-1.
Oscar Cardozo is their top scorer with 11 goals for his country. A member of the national team since 2006, he played in the 2010 World Cup. But at 36, like his country, Carodozo’s best days are in the rear-view mirror.
Qatar Seeking Experience
Qatar is the only team in this group guaranteed a place in the 2022 World Cup. They are also probably the only team in the group guaranteed to go 0-3.
Spanish coach Felix Sanchez led the 2022 World Cup hosts to victory in the 2019 Asia Cup. The Qatari beat Japan 3-1 in the final. However, this is another level of competition.
The young Qatar side is here to gain experience. And to get schooled.
Slotting Them In
The outcome of this group could very well be determined by the first match. Argentina and Colombia will clash on June 15. The winner of that game likely wins the group.
Expect it to be Argentina. Messi, Arguero and company will be too much for the Colombians.
Barack Obama has some thoughts on Lionel Messi's international trophy drought. pic.twitter.com/06ub4e9lY1
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 29, 2019
Colombia, though, will advance as the other qualifier for the knockout round. Paraguay grabs third place by virtue of a win over Qatar.
Argentina has finished second in the last four Copa America tournaments. The Argentines lost the last three finals on penalties. Neymar (ankle injury) of the host Brazilians is out for the tournament.
Are the stars finally aligning for Messi?
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
