Copa América 2019: Peru’s Odds Worsen to 21-1 to Lift Trophy

• Copa America 2019 kicks off on June 14
• The hosts Brazil start as favorites
• Peru drift out to an average of +2100 odds

The 46th Copa América kicks off on Friday, June 14, 2019 in Brazil, with the hosts as hot favorites. Their big rivals Argentina are, predictably, second-favorites. But we’re going to take a closer look and see if there is value to be had in some of the less-fancied names.

Copa América 2019 Odds

Odds taken June 4, 2019.

While some may consider Argentina’s Copa América odds of +425 as value, we’re not convinced. A team that is very much in transition and which relies heavily on one superstar does have a chance of winning this competition, but we think there are better bets elsewhere.

The 12 teams – ten of whom qualified and two (Qatar and Japan) who were invited – are initially divided up into four groups where they play in a round-robin format. The top two from each group plus the two best-placed third teams will then enter the knockout phase.

We’ll have a look group-by-group:

Group A – Brazil, Peru, Venezuela & Bolivia

Home advantage for Brazil is significant in its own right, and player-for-player they also have the best squad, but the last time they were in a similar position – the 2014 World Cup – the pressure became too great.

For all their unquestionable talent and flair, the Samba Boys have not won a major title since they won the Copa América back in 2007 and they also underwhelmed in last summer’s World Cup.

Brazil drops Neymar ahead of Copa America 2019 – https://t.co/aQ3P4jyPYu pic.twitter.com/XtBKFJXJy2

— Jokershivemedia (@jokershive) May 28, 2019

They, of course, have some hugely talented individuals but their problem continues to be how to mould that talent into a cohesive unit.

Peru, who as our tracker shows, had been averaging odds of +1700. But they have now drifted out to +2100, which is reflective of a poor run of form with just one win in their last five games. But it’s a young squad with potential and if they can get off to a flyer in their first game against Venezuela then who knows.

On the face of it, Bolivia and Venezuela will be scrapping it out for third and fourth place in Group A and both have off-field troubles to contend with.

Group B – Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay & Qatar

The Argentinians have reached the last two Copa América Finals, only to lose on penalties both times. The news that talisman Lionel Messi is playing in this tournament is a major boost.

This may be Messi’s final crack at winning an international tournament in the sky blue and white, and there are others, like Man City’s Sergio Aguero, in a similar boat, so there will be no shortage of desire in the Argentina squad.

Copa America 2019: ESPN+ to broadcast tournament | How to watch Lionel Messi, Neymar, Brazil, Argentina this summer https://t.co/0qnQYBj6iH pic.twitter.com/ogf9YMStfk

— NJ.com Sports (@NJ_Sports) June 3, 2019

They will be there or thereabouts, but there is less chance of them going all the way than +425 suggests.

Colombia is one of the teams that we can see pushing Brazil and Argentina all the way, not least because of their fine showing in Russia 2018 where they only lost out to semifinalists England on penalties.

They have some talented attacking players – Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez among them. But equally, have some world-class defenders who play in the top leagues in Europe. They will be dangerous opponents for anyone.

Confirman a #JamesRodríguez para el amistoso entre #Perú y #Colombia a jugarse en #Lima https://t.co/W5FPiLYjl4 pic.twitter.com/SdNpK7heoP

— Diario Correo (@diariocorreo) June 4, 2019

Paraguay had a poor World Cup, where they failed to win a game, and it’s hard to see them getting through to the knockout phase of this tournament. It’s an inexperienced side who we can see struggling.

Home advantage for Brazil is significant in its own right but the last time they were in a similar position – the 2014 World Cup – the pressure was too great

Qatar’s profile has risen since they were awarded the 2022 World Cup, and they shocked the footballing world by winning this year’s Asia Cup. Winning in South America is a very different task though and we see them there mainly for the experience.

Group C – Uruguay, Chile, Ecuador & Japan

Uruguay has a squad loaded with experience, in particular in defense. This makes them always hard to beat and in Barcelona’s Luis Suarez they have one of the best strikers in world football, who works in tandem with the similarly talented Edinson Cavani. Make no mistake – they can win this.

Chile are the holders but have done little to suggest they can retain the trophy, not least because they rely heavily on Manchester United’s Alexis Sanchez who has had a really disappointing Premier League season. The Chileans will have to do it the hard way as they are in the most difficult group of the draw.

Médicos de Chile doblan esfuerzos para recuperar a Alexis Sánchez pic.twitter.com/D5XttuOyEG

— PlanetaFutbol (@PlanetaFutbolGT) May 31, 2019

Japan, who lost out to Qatar in the Asia Cup, will head to Brazil with the intention of not just making up the numbers, but they will need to settle quickly to make an impact.

Ecuador at +3300 is worth a bet for those who fancy a longshot. They will be well-coached by the experienced Hernan Gomez and their U-20 squad recently won the South American Under-20 Championships. Worth watching.

But, it’s the Colombians who we fancy, especially if they get off to a positive start.

Our pick: Colombia +900