For the first time ever, the United States welcomes South America's best teams for a special centenary edition, and we take a look and who offers value in the winner market
The scheduling of yet another Copa America this summer has been controversial, with critics suggesting the tournament has been undermined by being held just 12 months after Chile were crowned continental champions on home soil.
However, despite the reservations it is hard not to get excited by the prospect of some hugely entertaining games between some of CONMEBOL and CONCACAF's best teams. Of course, this is not the only football tournament taking place in Americas this summer, with Brazil, Argentina and Colombia all involved in the Olympic football competition in Rio in August.
For that reason, Brazilian superstar Neymar will not feature at the Copa America, with his club side Barcelona insisting he played in only one of the competitions and the forward himself choosing to play at Rio 2016. Neymar is not the only big-name absentee from the Brazil squad, with Thiago Silva, Marcelo and David Luiz all missing out on a place, although the exclusion of that high-profile trio is down to manager Dunga's personal choice.
Brazil are the second favourites with bet365 pricing them at 9/2 (5.50) to lift the trophy and, given that they are on the opposite side of the draw from favourites Argentina, there is every chance that the top two in the betting could meet in the final. La Albiceleste unsurprisingly lead the market, offered at 15/8 (2.88) to lift their first major title since 1993; having come so close last year, they will feel they have unfinished business.
Indeed, their defeat by Chile on penalties in last summer's final was preceeded by their World Cup final loss to Germany, and there is a feeling that this might be one of the final chances for Argentina's most golden of generations, led by Lionel Messi, to claim some silverware. With that in mind, Gerardo Martino will bring his strongest squad available to the United States and, on paper, they are comfortably better than every other team.
Yet Argentina have been living testimony over the last few years that raw talent is not enough, meaning that while they are rightly the favourites, no-one will be writing their name on the cup just yet. There could, indeed, be more value elsewhere in the market.
Next in the market come Chile at 7/1 (8.00), with the defending champions a side in transition having dispensed with the services of manager Jorge Sampaoli. La Roja are now coached by Juan Antonio Pizzi, who will take pretty much a full-strength squad into the tournament. However, Chile look like they might have peaked with this group of players, and their ageing ranks could be a little burnt out.
It might surprise many people to find the United States next in the betting at 9/1 (10.00) , yet for the hosts this tournament is a big deal. Their 23-man squad includes a number of vastly experienced players, although they have been given arguably the toughest group alongside Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay, so the price offers little appeal despite home advantage for Jurgen Klinsmann's side.
Elewhere in the betting, Uruguay look an attractive prospect at 9/1 (10.00) , with coach Oscar Tabarez taking a strong squad to the tournament. Much of La Celeste's hopes will rest on the fitness of Luis Suarez, yet the Uruguay camp are hopeful he will make a full recovery from injury and, given the side's status as the most successful team in the history of the Copa America, plus the fact they have made an excellent start to World Cup qualifying, they could be an interesting option.
Colombia are offered at 11/1 (12.00) and, if that price looks generous for a team who were considered contenders for the World Cup two years ago, then it is worth considering the squad named by Jose Pekermann. They are another side in a transitory phase with the likes of Radamel Falcao, Jackson Martinez and Teofilo Gutierrez all missing out on selection for this competition. There will be a lot of emphasis on Carlos Bacca to score the goals and on James Rodriguez to pull the strings, although the Real Madrid midfielder has endured a tough season in Spain.
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