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Argentina Open as +175 Favorites to Win Copa América 2020; Champions Brazil +225

Daniel Coyle

by Daniel Coyle in Soccer News

Updated Apr 1, 2020 · 3:26 PM PDT

Lionel Messi running on the pitch
Argentina made yet another early exit from this year's tournament, but Lionel Messi and his teammates have emerged as strong +175 favorites to raise the trophy as the host nation at the 2020 Copa America. Photo by Дмитрий Садовников (Wikimedia Commons) [CC License].
  • Host nation Argentina have emerged as strong +175 favorites in the 2020 Copa America odds
  • Fresh off their 2019 Copa America win, Brazil sit as a close +225 second favorite
  • Colombia offers value as an intriguing +450 bet – check our preview for the best bet

The usual suspects have claimed the top of the odds as the countdown to the 2020 Copa América continues. One of the host nations for next summer’s event leads the Copa América 2020 odds, with Argentina perched as short +175 favorites, while the winners of this year’s tournament, Brazil, sit second at +225.

Odds to Win 2020 Copa America

Team Odds
Argentina +175
Brazil +225
Colombia +450
Uruguay +800
Chile +1300
Peru +2500
Venezuela +3300
Paraguay +3300
Ecuador +5000
Qatar +8000
Australia +8000
Bolivia +15000

*Odds taken on Dec. 13/19

Argentina Coming off Disappointing 2019

The 2019 Copa América provided yet another disappointment for Argentina on the international stage. Runners up in four of the previous five editions of the tournament, and still smarting from a stunning Round of 16 loss to France at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, La Albiceleste stumbled to a 1-1-1 record in group stage action. That set the stage for a difficult road through the knockout stage, which ended with a crushing 2-0 loss to Brazil in the semi-finals.

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Lionel Messi was vocal about his tempered expectations for this past year’s Copa América, and with good reason. Following Argentina’s World Cup debacle, the club was forced to make the hard decision to part ways with head coach Jorge Sampaoli in favor of Lionel Scaloni, who was given somewhat free rein to rebuild the squad in time for the start of World Cup qualifying early next season.

Despite hosting the tournament, hiring a new coach, and getting full buy-in from Messi on a new approach to the game, Argentina still faces massive challenges in their bid for their first major tournament victory since the 1993 Copa América. Indeed, the Argentines’ first two matches of the tournament will likely be key to their success. Argentina opens against Chile, who knocked them off in both the 2015 and 2016 final, followed by a date with Uruguay, who have claimed four Copa América titles since 1983, most recently in 2011.

Pressure off Brazil Following 2019 Copa América Win

Brazil should arrive at the 2020 Copa América feeling a little less pressure after ending a 12-year run without a win at a major tournament with their victory in 2019. Indeed, Brazil was dominant at this year’s tournament, marching undefeated to their first major tournament victory since this same tournament in 2007 while outscoring opponents by a 13-1 overall margin.

Now perched at No. 3 on the FIFA World Rankings, Brazil’s 2019 victory is all the more impressive considering it came with superstar Neymar sidelined by an ankle injury. However, the argument can be made that the absence of Neymar proved to be a blessing, removing a source of locker room drama, and enabling head coach Tite to take a more balanced team approach to the Brazilian attack.

Of course, despite his off-pitch antics, Neymar remains one of the game’s most talented players, and in the right situation, he could play a pivotal role in Brazil’s bid to post consecutive Copa América wins for the first time in 13 years. However, like Argentina, Brazil will face a stiff test in the group stage from the other host nation for next year’s tournament, Colombia.

Colombia Enjoys Strong Track Record on Home Turf

Further down the 2020 Copa América odds, Colombia sits third at +450, well ahead of Uruguay at +800, while Chile rounds out the front of the pack at +1300.

Currently positioned just behind Argentina at No. 10 on the FIFA World Rankings, the Cafeteros have suffered hard luck at recent international tournaments. After going undefeated and not allowing a goal in group stage action at this year’s Copa América, the Colombians suffered a heartbreaking loss on penalties to Chile in the quarter-finals, mirroring their fate at the 2018 World Cup.

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However, the Cafeteros have enjoyed success at this tournament, claiming their most recent victory back the last time they served as the host nation, back in 2001. The club has also produced respectable results in recent dates with Brazil and Argentina, going 1-2-2 in their past five meetings with the Seleção, including a win at the 2015 Copa América, and are undefeated in two dates with Argentina, who they shut out 2-0 at this year’s tournament.

Chile Struggling to Score on International Stage

Winners of two of the past three editions of the Copa América, Chile cannot be overlooked. La Roja have emerged as perennial contenders at this tournament, advancing to the knockout stage in seven of their past eight appearances, and advancing to the semi-finals in this year’s edition. However, Chile has struggled to maintain that momentum, posting just one win in five matches across all competitions since being bounced from the semi-final with a 3-0 loss to Peru, and managed to score just 11 total goals over their past 11 matches in international tournament play.

Pick: Colombia (+450)

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