The top European football leagues’ domestic seasons may be over, but top-quality international football is on the way with the start of the 2019 Copa America in mid-June.
These types of international tournaments generally don’t get interesting until the knock-out stage. But this year’s Copa has some very intriguing matchups in the group stage — involving the competition’s biggest sides — that could go a long way toward determining how the next round shakes out.
With that in mind, here are the three key group stage matches to pay attention to in this year’s Copa America.
Group A: Brazil vs Peru
All eyes are once again on hosts Brazil as they look to get their hands on the Copa for the first time since 2007. Brazil generally do well when they host the Copa; they’ve won all four editions they’ve hosted, which is pretty impressive.
Unsurprisingly, Copa America 2019 betting odds have them installed as the big favourites to win this year’s tournament. But they embarrassingly couldn’t even make it out of the group stage at the Copa America Centenario in 2016.
Peru were chiefly responsible for that failure as they defeated the South American giants in their final group game. Although, Peru’s victory was a controversial one as their winning goal came off Raul Ruidiaz’s hand.
Brazil and Peru have been grouped together once again in Group A along with Venezuela and Bolivia. It would be pretty disastrous if the hosts again don’t make it through from such an easy group.
Given their undeniable quality up and down the squad, the Brazilians should really have top spot locked up before they even face Peru in the third and final group game.
While there are question marks regarding Neymar’s fitness after missing most of the season due to a foot injury, the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino, and Philippe Coutinho are all capable of carrying a bigger role in attack.
After what happened in 2016, Brazil will likely be looking for some revenge. And with a partisan home crowd cheering the Brazilians on, things might not turn out too well for Peru this time around.
Group B: Argentina vs Colombia
Losing finalists in four of the last five Copas, Argentina are once again in the hunt for their first major international title since winning the Copa in 1993.
After taking a break from international football following the 2018 World Cup, Lionel Messi is back in the fold to lead another highly talented Argentine squad. The superstar is fresh off leading Barca to another La Liga title.
But talent has never been the issue for the Albiceleste; it’s finding a system that can properly channel all of that brilliance, especially Messi’s.
Argentina’s main competition for top spot in the group will likely be Colombia, who aren’t lacking in attacking talent themselves.
They possess a handful of clinical strikers — Radamel Falco, Carlos Bacca, Luis Muriel, and Atalanta’s breakout star Duvan Zapata, who scored 27 goals this season — with Bundesliga-winning Bayern playmaker James Rodriguez pulling the strings in midfield.
Colombia are also quite strong at the back with the likes of Santi Arias, Davinson Sanchez, and Yerry Mina. New coach Carlos Queiroz, who is known as a shrewd tactician, should have them well-drilled defensively.
That defence’s resolve will surely be tested by Messi in the very first match of Group B. But if the Colombians can pick up a positive result, they should fancy their chances of competing with Argentina for top spot in the group.
Group C: Uruguay vs Chile
Group C is easily the most competitive group in the tournament. It wouldn’t be all too surprising to see any of the four teams — Uruguay, Chile, Ecuador, and Japan — ending up on top.
However, SBOBET odds still see Uruguay and Chile as the two most likely group winners. And their matchup on the third round of group games could very easily end up deciding who tops the group.
Uruguay will likely be relying on the veteran strike partnership of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani to carry their attack.
There was some doubt regarding Suarez’s availability for the tournament after undergoing knee surgery, but the Barca striker made big Copa America 2019 news by saying he will be fit to play.
As for Chile, the two-time defending Copa America champions are also still reliant on veterans like Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal, Gary Medel, and Charles Aranguiz.
But those core performers are now in their 30s and are likely no longer at their peak. Sanchez, in particular, is coming off arguably the worst season of his career with Manchester United.
Of the two, Uruguay appear to have the better shot at going deep in the tournament. But if Chile can successfully pass this tough test and get out of the group, perhaps they might have one more run at the cup in them after all.
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