Argentina sits atop the FIFA World Rankings, but with their most recent international tournament championship coming at the 2008 Olympics, the pressure will be on when they open the Copa America Centenario as the +185 betting favorites at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
La Selección also are perched as -200 chalk to finish atop the Group D table but will be immediately tested in their tournament opener, battling the defending Copa America champs as -110 favorites in Monday night’s Argentina vs. Chile matchup at Levi’s Stadium.
The Argentines were denied their first Copa America crown since 1993 when they fell in last year’s final to Chile, which is listed at +700 on the Copa America Centenario futures and is a +145 bet win Group D.
Meanwhile, Brazil represents Argentina’s closest competition on the tourney futures at +450.
The Brazilians have dominated as three-time defending champions at the FIFA Confederations Cup, but have otherwise struggled on the international stage with their only other recent win at a major event coming at the 2007 Copa America.
Brazil also brings a shaky record in recent matches into this year’s tournaments, posting just three wins in their past seven against lightweights Venezuela, Peru, and Panama, but remains strong -300 chalk to win Group B, well ahead of Ecuador, which follows at +275.
The United States, a first-time tournament host, also faces a huge challenge after drawing into a difficult group that includes Colombia, Costa Rica, and Paraguay. However, with victories in their past four outings, and six straight wins on home soil, the Americans have shown resilience and hold down solid +800 odds to win the tournament.
The Americans are also +140 favorites to win Group A but are thin +170 chalk in their tournament-opening game against Colombia, which sits at +900 on the Copa America odds.
Uruguay, winner of a record 15 Copa America titles, follows at +1000, and is a narrow -110 favorite to finish first in Group C. La Celeste won gold at the 2015 Pan American Games and currently sits atop the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification table (CONMEBOL) with a 4-1-1 record, but will face a challenge from Mexico during the group stage.
The Mexicans have not given up a goal in seven straight wins and are pegged as +155 favorites in their tournament opener against Uruguay, while sporting attractive +1100 odds of winning their first-ever Copa America crown.
Thumbnail photo via Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports Images
