Copa America 2019 gets underway on 14th June as 12 teams compete for a place in the final on 7th July.
There are 10 CONMEBOL teams, including the hosts Brazil and holders Chile, and two invited teams, Qatar, the hosts of the 2022 World Cup, and Japan.
It’s set to be a fascinating few weeks of football with plenty of talent on show. Here are the top 10 players to look out for this summer!
Arthur (Brazil)
Arthur is a master of retaining possession and comfortably slotted into the Barcelona side this season, notching 43 appearances.
The deep-lying passing machine has played just 10 times for his country, including the two warm-up matches.
It remains to be seen if he starts much in this tournament, however, as Tite is blessed with plenty of midfield options and could choose to just play two of them.
Casemiro, Allan and Fernandinho are all competing for minutes, but Arthur can control the tempo of the game as well as anyone at Copa America 2019.
Josef Martinez (Venezuela)
Competing with striker Salomon Rondon for minutes, Josef Martinez might have to accept the role of supersub for Venezuela.
After winning the MLS Golden Boot last season, he’s continued in fine form despite losing his Atlanta United accomplice Miguel Almiron. His 10 goals in 15 matches put him only behind Carlos Vela and Zlatan Ibrahimovic this season.
Tired defences will not be relishing the prospect of a fresh Martinez in the final 20 minutes.
Jefferson Farfan (Peru)
Every team has its fair share of experience going into this, but few players have been there and done it quite like Peru’s 34-year-old Jefferson Farfan.
He was an unused substitute in Peru’s two warm-up matches as Ricardo Gareca looks to keep him fit for the tournament itself.
Farfan enjoyed a good season with Lokomotiv Moscow and was involved in a goal every 126 league minutes. Peru need him at his best if they are to get out of Group A.
Giovani Lo Celso (Argentina)
Linked with a move to Tottenham, Lo Celso is a player to keep an eye out for in Argentina’s midfield. It’s going to be a tough competition for a starting berth, but the Real Betis man has been playing as well as any of his rivals this season.
He deserves to start, though if he doesn’t, he will be a very effective option off the bench whether he’s used in a central midfield role or further forward.
Argentina to score over 5.5 group stage goals at 13/10 is one of the top 888sport football tips.
Radamel Falcao (Colombia)
Falcao and Monaco had a challenging season in Ligue 1, narrowly avoiding relegation. The 33-year-old centre forward will be excited to return to international action, as much as a distraction from a painful club campaign as for the prospect of silverware.
Even in such a difficult season, only four players scored more Ligue 1 goals than Falcao.
Colombia face Argentina in their first match but are expected to progress. Falcao’s 17/1 to win the Golden Boot looks a great price.
Miguel Almiron (Paraguay)
Injury sadly cut Almiron’s first season with Newcastle short. In his 10 appearances, though, the former Atlanta United star was brilliant to watch, mesmerising opponents with his quick feet and proving to be a menace without the ball.
Paraguay are rank outsiders, sitting at 7/1 to win Group B. If they are to cause an upset against Uruguay or Argentina, they need Almiron at the top of his game.
He’s got an eye for goal and the talent to change a match single handedly.
Rodridgo Bentancur (Uruguay)
The 21-year-old Bentancur became a crucial player for Juventus this season, and he’s capable of doing it all in midfield. Comfortable in a two or a three, and with an eye for a pass, he’s a vital member for club and country, and has already accumulated 18 caps.
He started alongside fellow Serie A midfielder Matias Vecino against Panama last weekend as Uruguay ran out comfortable 3-0 victors.
Uruguay get their tournament underway against Ecuador this Sunday and we could see a similar set up, though Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani will obviously return to the side.
With the combination of that fearsome front two and a solid midfield, Uruguay are a dark horse for a shock Copa America success. Their 11/5 to make the final is a great price.
Shinji Okazaki (Japan)
Okazaki’s time at Leicester has come to an end, with the Japanese veteran leaving the club on a free transfer.
He was named in the Copa America squad with a group of inexperienced players. He may well be coming off the bench, but his energy and wisdom will be key for this youthful Japan squad.
The former Premier League winner is the joint-third most capped player in Japan history, having appeared 116 times for his country, scoring 50 goals. Only 12 active players have scored more international goals than Okazaki.
Alexis Sanchez (Chile)
Few players need a good summer as badly as Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean forward had a torrid time under both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season as his enormous contract quickly looks like one of the worst deals in world football.
Chile are 11/1 to defend their crown, and they will need the very best of Alexis if they are to get anywhere near doing so. With a fully fit, in-form Sanchez, Chile’s 11/1 price is a standout in 888sport’s football betting odds ahead of Copa America 2019.
He has plenty to prove in Brazil in the coming weeks – this is a definitive period in a career that is heading in the wrong direction.
Roberto Firmino (Brazil)
With Neymar ruled out of the tournament, Roberto Firmino could earn a starting berth alongside Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus in the front three.
Injuries were an issue for the Liverpool forward towards the end of the season, and he was left on the bench against Qatar, but he’s an interesting option for Tite in Neymar’s absence.
Firmino had a less effective season despite Liverpool’s successful campaign. Jurgen Klopp will want to see him get a rest, but this tournament could be a good opportunity to play himself back into form.
Firmino is 9/1 to be the tournament’s top scorer in 888sport’s Copa America 2019 odds.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
