The Copa America takes place for a 46th time, starting on Saturday 14th June and finishing on 7th July. All eyes are on the hosts Brazil, who are suffering a quiet period unlike many others in their history.
The last tournament they hosted ended in semi-final embarrassment to Germany in 2014, and they will be hoping to, at least partially, erase those memories this time around.
Chile won the last two editions of the tournament and are looking to become the first team since Argentina in the late 1940s to win three in a row. No team, however, has done so in the Copa America era.
Victory this summer would also put Chile above Paraguay and Peru as the fourth most successful team in the competition’s history. Argentina, who have won it 14 times, are only one trophy behind Uruguay.
We have delved into 888sport’s Copa America 2019 odds for the best bets…
Copa America 2019: Outright Winner
Brazil are the overwhelming favourites to win their first Copa America since 2007.
Sitting at 13/10, even without Neymar, Tite’s side have the benefit of home advantage (as well as the extra pressure that comes with that) and a favourable group. Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru are unlikely to remotely trouble this Brazil side.
Aside from a shock draw with Panama in March, Brazil’s form is good. Their narrow victories over Argentina and Uruguay late last year standout, but the intensity and expectation of a home tournament is a different task.
The Lionel-Messi-led Argentinians are unsurprisingly second favourites. Their 15/4 price is on the short side, though Argentina will feature prominently in 2019 Copa America betting tips.
Argentina weren’t good in the World Cup last summer and their form has been patchy since then. The 3-1 defeat to Venezuela in March was an alarming result.
This squad is littered with attacking talent, but they are still looking for that crucial balance that can get the best out of Messi without leaving the team entirely dependent on him.
Messi alone makes them contenders, and many will be backing them to lift their 15th Copa America. The odds lengthen significantly after the big two with Uruguay at 7/1, Colombia at 9/1 and Chile at 11/1.
Uruguay lost their last four matches of 2018, but have won three in a row. Victories against Uzbekistan, Panama and Thailand don’t tell us a great deal about their chances here, though.
With Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, they have the firepower to go all the way, but it’s possible they slip up in the group stage.
Chile might be two-time defending champions, but it’s no surprise to see their price so long. Their recent form is awful and their star man, Alexis Sanchez, is having a difficult time.
Copa America 2019: Top Assists
Just for a change, it’s Messi atop the top assister odds. His 2/1 price is going to get plenty of support.
The Barcelona forward was as good creatively as anyone in Europe this season, and he’s got the teammates to take advantage of the chances he will orchestrate.
In a short tournament, the value may well lie with the players who are at longer odds.
Messi’s brilliance makes anything possible, and he could rack up some numbers against Qatar, but there are plenty of other intriguing names in this market.
One such player is Messi’s teammate, Watford’s Roberto Pereyra.
Pereyra is coming off the back of an excellent season with the Hornets and will have the luxury of setting up chances for Messi, Paulo Dybala and Sergio Aguero.
Away from the Argentinians, Miguel Almiron at 33/1 is a tempting outsider bet.
Paraguay have the bonus, like Argentina, of facing Qatar in the group stage. Almiron at 33/1 to one is too good to ignore if you fancy the Paraguayans to spring yet another Copa America shock result.
Copa America 2019: Top Scorer
Yep, you guessed it, Messi leads this market too. He’s 3/1 this time around, however, with Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus sitting at 6/1.
Jesus has found the net 16 times in just 29 appearances for Brazil. The attack will function differently without Neymar, which should see the Manchester City man get plenty of chances.
Despite playing second fiddle to Aguero all season, Jesus was prolific, scoring a goal every 127 minutes across the Premier League and Champions League.
Aguero and Cavani follow at 8/1 in 888sport's football betting odds. Cavani had an injury-plagued campaign, but still averaged just shy of a goal-per-game in Ligue 1.
Aguero was at his very best as Manchester City retained the Premier League crown. It feels about right having them at the same price, though neither leap out as great value.
Venezuela will fancy their chances of progressing from the group, making Salomon Rondon at 50/1 a bet worth considering. Rondon is a handful for any defence in the world and could cause plenty of problems for Bolivia and Peru.
Copa America 2019: Other Markets
888sport offer a range of other outright betting markets for the Copa America. The ‘two teams to contest the final’ market sees Argentina and Brazil as the most likely combination at 7/2.
Brazil feature in the top four pairings. The value for anyone backing Brazil to make it to the 7th July showpiece is limited. The hosts to face Colombia in the final at 8/1 is probably the best available price.
In the group winners market, Argentina at 4/6 to finish top of Group B is the best value. Plenty of people will be putting that into 888sport’s betting calculator, perhaps along with Chile at 2/5 to finish in the top two in Group C.
With Qatar in Group B, who could face a heavy defeat or two, the 17/20 on over 14.5 goals in the group is a good price.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
