The Copa America Final is set, and it will be a showdown between the two best South American teams in Argentina and Brazil. The match will kick off Saturday at 8 p.m. ET and will be played at Estadio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Below, we preview the Brazil vs. Argentina odds and lines, and make our best Copa America picks and predictions.
Brazil is coming off what seemed like an easy 1-0 win over Peru. It has outscored the opposition 12-2 in this tournament and remains the favorite to win.
Third overall by FIFA World Rankings, Brazil will be taking on eighth-ranked Argentina in the Copa America Final.
The Lionel Messi-led side defeated Colombia in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw at the end of 90 minutes. Messi is the captain, but for Argentina to stand a chance, F Sergio Agüero must also get involved.
Argentina is really the only nation in South America that can even come close to Brazil in terms of talent.
Brazil vs. Argentina: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:14 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Brazil +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Argentina +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Draw +220
- Over/Under: 1.5 (O: -200 | U: +145)
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Prediction
Brazil 2, Argentina 1
Money line (ML)
BET on BRAZIL (+110) as it has the more talented roster and will be playing at home. As we’ve seen in both Euro 2020 and Copa America, being at home can be a major advantage.
Ds Marquinhos and Thiago Silva should be able to tame one of the world’s best players in Messi. The 34-year-old isn’t as explosive as he once was, although he’ll certainly still have an impact on the game.
With Casemiro and Fred holding down the midfield, there’s just too much talent on this Brazilian team to bet this any other way. From front to back, Brazil is a deep side very few teams can compete with.
Argentina may struggle to even find its footing against the Brazilian dominance. A plus-money bet on Brazil is an easy one to place.
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Over/Under (O/U)
“LEAN” to the OVER 2.5 (+150) on the alternate line, because Brazil should be coming out on a mission. If the home side pushes the pace and gets a first-half goal, Messi could break through on the offensive end.
Either way, there’s too much star power on both sides to bet against goals.
Messi and Brazil F Neymar on the pitch means opportunities will be created. Brazil’s defense has yet to be challenged, so understanding it has given up only a couple of goals is relevant considering the best team it has played was Colombia.
Argentina has a dynamic attacking roster and should bury at least 1 on a Brazilian defense that has looked flawed at times. With its strength in the attack, Argentina may also struggle to defend the likes of Neymar and F Everton Soares.
Expect and hope for many goals in this one.
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