There's nothing quite like saving the best for last. Of all of the Match Day 1 games in Copa America, the best of the bunch might be the final one.
Argentina, the favorite to win the 100th anniversary of this tournament this year, will take on Chile, the defending champion of the event from 2015 in a match played in Santa Clara.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Argentina -105
Chile +305
Draw +245
Over/Under 2.5 (under -125)
ODDS ANALYSIS
The tactical Chileans won Copa America last year because it had the chance to host the tournament, and that shouldn't be lost on bettors when they place their wagers in this match. They're away from their home now in the United States, and the fixtures really will feel like true neutral site games for the most part.
That's why Argentina is the odds-on favorite to take all three points to open up Group D play at -105. The Argentines have deserved to be called the favorites to win this tournament. The road won't be easy, but they know this is a match where they can make a statement and make the rest of their group stage jaunt a heck of a lot easier.
The total of 2.5 and -125 vig on the under is actually the highest of the eight group stage matches played between Friday and Monday.
RECENT FORM
La Albiceleste only decided to play one match as a tune up for this event. The 1-0 victory over Honduras was sufficient for sure, though better results will be expected in this tournament. The good news for Argentina is that it already knows what to expect out of the Chileans. These two met in March in Santiago, a match won 2-1 by Argentina.
Chile has some real questions to answer at the moment. The team is going to be a big dog on Wednesday night against Mexico in San Diego in its last Copa America prep, and if that duel is lost as many suspect will be the case, that'll be four losses in five matches headed into a tournament which was won just last year.
LIVE BETTING
The reason Chile won Copa America a season ago is because it was able to really play sound ball at the back. Holding Argentina without a goal for 90 minutes is hard enough; the Chileans did it for 120 in the Copa America Final last July. Five of the seven matches ended in clean sheets, and a lot of that is due to the power of Claudio Bravo in net.
That said, Bravo is only as good as the defense in front of him, and there's a real chance that none of the starters in defense for this team will be older than 28. Eugenio Mena and Mauricio Isla are the players to watch as the central defenders for this back line. Goodness knows that Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain are going to be all over the place looking for goals for the Argentines, and clearly, Chile is going to have to play a tactical game at the back and be organized.
At the first sign of trouble, run as fast as you can away from Chile. The offense isn't good enough to do much of anything against a team this good short of pick off chances on the counterattack, and that probably isn't yielding much in the way of opportunities. Live bettors should expect to see one-way traffic in this one.
QUICK PICK
There's a degree of revenge which is going to be felt in this match for Argentina. It was the better team in the Copa America Final last year, and this is more or less unfinished business, particularly for Messi and Aguero. If these two men are at the top of their game as we suspect they will be right off the bat, the Argentines could be looking at a resounding opening match victory to all but ensure they'll win Group D going away.
Copa America Odds: Argentina 3, Chile 0
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The fixture between Argentina and Chile will take place at 10:00 p.m. ET on Monday, June 6, 2016 at Levi's Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1.
