Copa America 2024 Group A Odds: Will Argentina Cruise To Win?

Argentina – World Cup Champions Cruise To Group Win?

Currently, Argentina has the shortest odds to win Copa America 2024 which is hardly a shocker to anyone who follows soccer.

They didn’t need any help, but Messi’s squad received a favorable draw as well. All of their opponents in Group A have +3500 or worse odds of winning this tournament.

Talent-wise, Argentina unquestionably surpasses the rest of their opponents in the group stage, even if some of their opponents have decent players, too.

Argentina will once again rely on superstar Leo Messi, who has scored nine goals and four assists in seven MLS matches in 2024¹!

Lionel Messi's career stats are something to behold 😵🔥 pic.twitter.com/y2KFngtiLE

— OneFootball (@OneFootball) May 1, 2024

He might be getting older, but Messi is still a top-class talent. Furthermore, he has plenty of help. This squad has plenty of young talent, which includes a strong midfield duo that includes Chelsea’s Endo Fernandez and Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister.

If you add Emi Martinez, Cristian Romero, Julian Alvarez, Alejandro Garnacho, and Lautaro Martinez, it’s easy to see why Argentina is the team to beat not just in group A but in the tournament as a whole.

The only slight issues is that center-back German Pezzella will not play due to a muscle injury. The 32-year-old Real Betis center-back would have been nice to have on the pitch, but he isn’t a dealbreaker for Argentina. They should be in fine shape in Group A regardless.

This team has no clear holes on their Copa America 2024 roster. Nevertheless, there is no value on the Argentinians to win or qualify in Group A at the current odds.

Chile – Can The Chileans Play Spoiler?

Ricardo Gareca took over the Chile soccer program this past January. He is tasked with making the country a competitive squad at Copa America 2024.

Chile also has aspirations of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, so Gareca has a lot of work ahead of him. The current head coach replaced Eduardo Berizzo after he stepped down following a lifeless 0-0 draw versus Paraguay in November.

Only days later, Chile followed up with a disastrous 1-0 loss to Ecuador. However, Gareca has this squad finally going in the right direction.

Since he’s assumed the head coaching job, Chile has defeated Albania, 3-0, and suffered a competitive 3-2 loss to a very strong French team in March. France is among the favorites to win EURO 2024, with the second-shortest odds behind England.

😧 Le llaman el 'Niño Maravilla' por goles como este.
🇨🇱 @Alexis_Sanchez#BarçaValencia | #LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/f7VBP7P9xr

— LALIGA (@LaLiga) April 29, 2024

There have been several positive signs for Chile as they gear up for Copa America 2024. Led by veteran goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and Alexis Sanchez, this team should be in good hands.

Sanchez was injured for the last Copa America and unavailable in the group stage, so his veteran leadership will be a welcome boost this year.

Diego Valdes, Guillermo Maripan, and Gabriel Suazo round out a solid player pool for Chile’s roster. They likely face difficulties against Argentina, but I have them soundly ahead of Canada and Peru right now.

Canada – Will The Canadians Find Their Form?

Behind the emergence of Alphonso Davies and a World Cup bid, the Canadian national squad has accomplished a lot over the last five years. Most notably, the country qualified for their first World Cup in 36 years!

GOAL! What a start for #CANMNT and it's that man Alphonso Davies! 🔥#CANMNT 🇨🇦 1-0 🇯🇲pic.twitter.com/U5OqRhOlFX

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 22, 2023

The Canadians had not been to a World Cup since 1986. That all ended with their brief trip to the World Cup in 2022. However, Canada did it amid soaring tensions with the local soccer federation.

The last few years have been filled with controversy surrounding the national men’s and women’s squads. The dispute stems from pay and ‘inadequate deals’ being offered to players.

After playing with an interim head coach, Soccer Canada announced in May that Jesse Marsch was hired as their new head coach.

I like some of the talent on this squad. Most notably, Canada has a pure goalscorer in David and a borderline world-class player in Davies. If he can stay hot, the Canadians will have multiple scoring threats. David is in impeccable form, with 10 goals in his previous 13 Ligue 1 matches! Porto midfielder Stephen Eustaquoi is also a capable contributor for Canada.

However, there are too many question marks for the team heading into Copa America 2024. Canada’s Copa America 2024 Group A odds to win are accurate at the top sports betting sites.

While Canada looked good against France in a 0-0 draw recently, it was a friendly with little intensity from the French side. Despite the draw, team chemistry and atmosphere are critical in big tournaments, and Canada lacks both right now. I am not convinced Marsch can get this squad to play at an elite level for Copa America 2024.

Peru – Can Peru Build On Recent Wins?

Peru limped into Copa America 2024 with a 1-1 draw versus Venezuela. They were on a four-match losing streak before picking up a much-needed draw.

However, the draw extended their winless streak to 10 straight matches! Peru hadn’t won a match since 2022 against Bolivia. Since the draw against Venezuela, Peru has two wins, and most recently a 0-0 draw against Paraguay.

The frustration ended this year, as Peru secured a 2-0 win over Nicaragua. Four days later, Peru made it back-to-back wins with a 4-1 final over the Dominican Republic on March 26.

That brings us to Peru’s draw against Paraguay on June 7 — keeping the streak alive for Jose Fossati’s side!

These were not the largest tests for Peru, but the team needed wins badly to gain some confidence. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese needs to have the tournament of his life in goal for Peru to qualify.

What a moment for El Pulpo 🐙@pedrogallese | #VamosOrlando https://t.co/aalLMPkedN pic.twitter.com/R2crQ8IKTc

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) May 12, 2024

Additionally, Renato Tapia and Pedro Aquino must be on top of their games. Despite recent wins over Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, I don’t give Peru a strong chance in Group A.