Hosts and tournament favourites, Brazil, are overwhelming front runners to beat Bolivia in their Group A opener.
To Win (90 Mins)
Brazil 1/12 | Draw 7/1 | Bolivia 35/1
Group A | Saturday 15 June | Estádio Cícero Pompeu de Toledo | 02:30
Brazil
Since exiting the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Brazil have played 10 friendlies, winning nine times, beating USA (0-2), El Salvador (5-0), Saudi Arabia (0-2), Argentina (0-1), Uruguay (1-0), Cameroon (1-0), Czech Republic (1-3), Qatar (2-0) and Honduras (7-0) and drawing with Panama (1-1).
The Selecao will be without their superstar Neymar after he was ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury he suffered earlier this month during the friendly victory over Qatar. Tite has called up Chelsea forward Willian to replace the Paris-Saint Germain star ahead of the likes of Tottenham’s Lucas Moura and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.
Brazil last won the Copa America title in 2007 when they beat Argentina 3-0 in the final – they also won the previous edition in 2004. Tite’s side are strong favourites to win this year’s competition – which is played in Brazil – and they’ll look to get off to a winning start.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Cassio
Defenders: Dani Alves, Fagner, Alex Sandro, Filipe Luis, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marquinhos, Eder Militao
Midfielders: Casemiro, Fernandinho, Arthur, Allan, Lucas Paqueta, Philippe Coutinho
Forwards: Everton, David Neres, Richarlison, Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus, Willian
Bolivia
Bolivia’s form coming into the tournament doesn’t bode well for their chances and even suggests that they’ll struggle to win a match in Group A. After their World Cup qualifiers, La Verde played 14 friendlies between March 2018 and June 2019 and won just once – a 3-0 victory over minnows Myanmar.
They lost seven times, including their last three against Korea Republic, Japan and France – failing to get on the scoresheet in those defeats. Avoiding defeat against Brazil, the hosts and tournament favourites seems unthinkable. The last time they faced the Selecao on their turf was in 2016 when they played in a World Cup Qualifier. No surprise the winners were Brazil, with Tite’s side claiming a 5-0 victory with Neymar and Philippe Coutinho running havoc.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Carlos Lampe, Ruben Cordano, Javier Rojas
Defenders: Marvin Bejarano, Diego Bejarano, Luis Haquin, Adrian Jusino, Mario Cuellar, Saul Torres, Roberto Fernandez, Jose Mario Carrasco
Midfielders: Alejandro Chumacero, Raul Castro, Erwin Saavedra, Leonel Justiniano, Samuel Galindo, Fernando Saucedo, Diego Wayar, Paul Arano
Forwards: Marcelo Martins, Gilbert Alvarez, Rodrigo Ramallo, Leonardo Vaca
Verdict: Brazil (Multiscores – 4:0, 5:0 or 6:0) 11/4
There’s only one winner here and that’s the hosts. For value, use Hollywoodbets’ Multiscores market and take Brazil to win 4-0, 5-0 or 6-0 at 11/4.
