Argentina’s shock loss to Colombia scuppered our weekend treble as Lionel Messi once again failed to shine for the Albiceleste. Defending Copa America champions Chile begin their campaign this week when they face a new look Japan on Tuesday.
Running total: -£29.72
The Banker
Chile have a fine Copa America record and are back-to-back champions, but the truth is they look like a side on the slide. The old guard of Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal and Gary Medel are soldiering on but they have looked battle weary in recent months and failed to even qualify for Russia 2018. It will be asking a lot for Sanchez to rekindle his form for his country following a disastrous season at Manchester United, and Chile look a lot less solid at the back these days. That said they should edge past a very youthful Japan side on Tuesday.
The Samurai Blue didn’t get past the group stage in their only previous appearance at the Copa America in 1999 and they are not fancied to do so this time round either considering that they’ve brought a lot of young, inexperienced players to Brazil.
One player in particular who will be worth keeping an eye on though. Takefusa Kubo has been labelled the ‘Japanese Messi’ and has just signed for Real Madrid. However, a lot of this squad has been brought along to gain experience for next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo and it’s worth noting that 17 of their 23-man squad had never been called up prior to a recent friendly outing against El Salvador. With this in mind, backing Chile to cover a one-goal handicap with bet365 at 6/4 looks the way to go.
Selection: £4 on Chile (-1) to win at 6/4 with bet365.
The First Goal Flutter
Brazil were rocked by a pre-tournament injury to Neymar but, as Philippe Coutinho proved by scoring a brace in their first match against Bolivia, they are far from a one man team. In the absence of Neymar, coach Tite has decided to roll the dice with Coutinho, with the Barcelona star handed a no strings No. 10 role to torment the opposition in his homeland. He’s 7/2 to finish as top scorer and with two goals to his name already, plus very winnable Group A games against Venezuela and Peru to come, that looks a generous price.
Selection: £6 on Coutinho to be Copa America top scorer at 7/2 with bet365.
The Tasty Treble
Brazil were jeered off after a listless first 45 minutes against Bolivia but eventually came to the party in the second half as they wrapped up a 3-0 win. The Selecao remain very strong defensively and 4/6 for them to beat Venezuela without conceding on Wednesday looks more than fair. Elsewhere, Chile are worthy favourites to beat Japan and should be in any self-respecting accumulator this week at 4/9. Finally, Qatar proved in drawing their opening game against Paraguay 2-2 that they are no mugs and bet365 go 6/5 that both teams score when they face Colombia next. Duvan Zapata, who scored 28 goals for Atalanta this season, is already off the mark for Colombia and goals should flow when the pair meet in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.
Selection: £4 on the treble at 4.29/1 with bet365.