WITH a host of sporting tournaments in progress, the Copa América kicks off today with favourites Brazil against Bolivia and then tomorrow Argentina, with the indomitable Messi, engage Colombia in a tantalising encounter to get this summer’s tournament really going.

EVENT # 1 – COPA FAVOURITES BRAZIL VS BOLIVIA

Host Brazil can begin the campaign with a comfortable win in Sao Paulo when they welcome Bolivia in their opening game, even though they are without their most influential player, Neymar, who is injured and is not going to play in the entire tournament.

Brazil are looking to win their ninth South American continental title, but they have had to change their plans due to Neymar’s injury.

Warm-up victories over Qatar and Honduras have given them a huge confidence boost as those victories made it nine wins from their last 10 matches. They are now favoured to lift the title for the first time since 2007.

Bolivia did not have the best build up to the Copa as they are currently on a three-match losing streak. They suffered a 0-2 defeat against France in their final warm-up match before the tournament.

They displayed very poor attacking skills, mustering only two shots on target during the entire game. They have struggled for goals lately, having failed to score in their last three games. Bolivia are hoping for a change of fortune, as the last time they tasted victory was a win over lowly Myanmar last October which was their only win in their last 14 matches.

Brazil have traditionally enjoyed this fixture, especially when it is not played at high altitude in Bolivian. The Bolivians have not beaten the Brazilians since 2009, while in 30 head-to-head matches, Bolivia have only ever won on five occasions, while Brazil have averaged over three goals per game when both teams meet.

EVENT # 2 – COPA SECOND FAVOURITES ARGENTINA VS COLOMBIA

Argentina’s bid to win a first Copa América title since 1993 starts tomorrow against a very tough Colombian side. They will look to get their campaign off to a flyer as they aim is to rid themselves of the tournament’s bridesmaid tag.

Lionel Messi and Argentina have finished runners-up in each of the last two tournaments and after a disappointing World Cup last summer, the pressure is on the two-time World Champions and 14-time Copa América champions to bring home the top prize.

Messi is yet to win an international trophy and has suffered disappointment in the final of this tournament three times.

Meanwhile, Colombia have enjoyed more recent success in the Copa América than Argentina, having claimed the title in 2001. Time is running out for Colombia’s golden generation of players such as Radamel Falcao, Juan Cuadrado, Cristian Zapata with James Rodriquez not too far behind them in age.

Argentina prepared for this game with a workmanlike 5-1 win over Nicaragua with Messi scoring a double, while Colombia’s preparations heading into the tournament saw them enjoying back-to-back wins over Panama and Peru.

In tomorrow’s match, it’s Argentina who have plenty of reasons to be more optimistic of the two, having won three of the last four meetings between both sides.

Even though, the last time both sides met it ended in a draw, Argentina must feel they can start with a win here as Colombia have not tasted victory against them since 2007. The last time Colombia had any form of success in the Copa América tournament against Argentina was way back in 1999.

The betting tip. Argentina victory.

JUSTBET ODDS – BRAZIL vs BOLIVIAFriday, June 14, 2019

Prediction Odds on Odds CalculationBRAZIL TO WIN $1.10 which means a $1000 bet would pay $1,100

Prediction

BOLIVIA TO WIN $38.00 which means a $1000 bet would pay $38,000

MATCH TO DRAW $8.75 which means a $1000 bet would pay $8,750

Odds on the Home Team (Brazil)

winning the game 4-1 at full time $23.00 which means that a $1,000 bet would pay $23,000

Odds on the Away Team (Bolivia)

winning the game 0-1 at full time $45.00 which means that a $1,000 bet would pay $45,000

Odds on the game drawing 1-1 at full time $19.00 which means that a $1,000 bet would pay $19,000

JUSTBET ODDS – ARGENTINA vs COLOMBIASaturday, June 15, 2019

Prediction Odds on Odds CalculationARGENTINA TO WIN $2.15 which means a $1000 bet would pay $2,150

Prediction

COLOMBIA TO WIN $3.70 which means a $1000 bet would pay $3,700

MATCH TO DRAW $3.20 which means a $1000 bet would pay $3,200

Odds on the Home Team (Argentina)

winning the game 2-0 at full time $9.00 which means that a $1,000 bet would pay $9,000

Odds on the Away Team (Colombia)

winning the game 1-2 at full time $13.00 which means that a $1,000 bet would pay $13,000

Odds on the game drawing 0-0 at full time $8.00 which means that a $1,000 bet would pay $8,000