The Copa America kicks off on 26 June and features 10 South American countries plus the invited USA and Mexico.
Argentina have been enlisted as favourites for the tournamet staged in Venezuela with Brazil close behind them. Both sides are head and shoulders above the rest according to the bookmakers who don’t give the host nation much hope.
Each of the three groups are previewed in detail with odds provided for Group and Outright winners.
Group A
Uruguay 2.0 (VCBet - £50 in Free Bets!)
Venezuela 2.75 (Bet365 - £100 in Free Bets!)
Peru 7.5 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Bolivia 15.0 (Bet365 - £100 in Free Bets!)
Uruguay boast the best record in the Copa America, winning 14 of the 42 tournaments staged since its inception in 1916 but have not lifted the trophy since beating Brazil in 1995. Arguably their greatest threat comes in the form of strikers Diego Forlan, formerly of Manchester United and Inter Milan hotman Alvaro Recoba. Qualification from the group stage is almost certain.
Home nation Venezuela were initially instilled as third favourites behind Argentina and Brazil but their odds have since drifted. It is not surprising since they have won just one Copa America tie in 45 attempts and ranks them as the worst team participating in this year’s tournament. However, home advantage counts for a lot and a kind group draw should see them through to the quarter finals.
Peru, without Newcastle United midfielder Nolberto Solano and with just two wins in their last nine matches against modest opposition are expected to struggle as are Bolivia whose sole trophy victory came in 1963. Since finishing as runners up in 1997 as the host nation, Bolivia have gone out at the first stage in 1999, 2001 and 2004.
Group B
Brazil 1.57 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Mexico 4.3 (VCBet - £50 in Free Bets!)
Chile 8.0 (Bet365 - £100 in Free Bets!)
Ecuador 13.0 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Brazil have won the Copa America in three of the last four tournaments and are overwhelming favourites to win Group B. However, Dunga’s side will have to do it without both Kaka and Ronaldinhom, who have not been named in the squad for fear of burnout. The tournament will give Manchester United fans their first glimpse of new signing Anderson, while the likes of CSKA Moscow duo Vagner Love and Jo and Liverpool target Daniel Alves add to a strong squad.
Mexico proved they are a quality side in last year’s World Cup, when they took Argentina to extra time in the Quarter Finals only to be narrowly beaten. Since being invited to participate for the first time in 1993 and finishing as runners up, Mexico have enjoyed a good record in the tournament. They also finished runners up in 2001, finished third in 1997 and 1999 and reached the quarter finals on a further two occasions.
Ecuador put up a good showing in last year’s Word Cup, going out in the second round to England and could qualify as one of the best third placed teams.  Chile have never won the Copa America and a tough group draw means another first round exit is likely, which would be eight in the last 13 tournaments.
Group C
Argentina 1.62 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Colombia 5.5 (Bet365 - £100 in Free Bets!)
Paraguay 6.5 (VCBet - £50 in Free Bets!)
USA 8.0 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Group C is the Copa America’s “Group of Death”. Argentina are the bookmakers favourites to win the Group but any of the other three teams could qualify for the quarter finals. Argentina have a very recognisable line up with Premiership based players Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, Gabriel Heinze and former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron. Barcelona youngster Lionel Messi also features in a formidable lineup.
As host nation in 2001, Colombia won the competition for the first time in their history and have had a decent record in recent years, including a fourth placed finish in 2004. They will rely on their older defensive players such as 36-year-old goalkeeper Miguel Calero, Inter Milan’s Ivan Cordoba (30) and Mario Yepes (31) of Paris St. Germain as a basis for success this year.
Paraguay have reached the quarter final stages in five of the last six tournaments and who knows what squad the USA will put out as the final of the Gold Cup, in which they are participating, is two days before the Copa America is due to start.
Selected Odds to Win Outright
Argentina 2.63 (VCBet - £50 in Free Bets!)
Brazil 3.0 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Mexico 10.0 (VCBet - £50 in Free Bets!)
Uruguay 12.0 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Colombia 21.0 (Ladbrokes - £20 in Free Bets!)
Venezuela 21.0 (Bet365 - £100 in Free Bets!)
Paraguay 23.0 (Bet365 - £100 in Free Bets!)
USA 34.0 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Chile 34.0 (Bet365 - £100 in Free Bets!)
Ecuador 41.0 (Ladbrokes - £20 in Free Bets!)
Peru 67.0 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Bolivia 201.0 (Bet365 - £100 in Free Bets!)
