Copa America 2016: Odds, Live-Stream Schedule and Predictions for Group Fixtures
Copa America 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of football's oldest international competition, with the tournament set to begin on June 3 in the host nation USA.
Sixteen countries from South America, Central and North America and the Caribbean will compete for the top prize, with global giants such as Lionel Messi, James Rodriguez and Edinson Cavani all set to showcase their talent.
Read on for a look at the latest odds, live-streaming schedule and analysis of who will be challenging come the June 26 final. All odds are courtesy of Odds Shark:
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| Argentina | 2.85 |
| Brazil | 5.50 |
| Chile | 8.00 |
| USA | 9.00 |
| Colombia | 10.00 |
| Uruguay | 11.00 |
| Mexico | 12.00 |
| Ecuador | 26.00 |
| Costa Rica | 60.00 |
| Paraguay | 67.00 |
| Peru | 67.00 |
| Venezuela | 101.00 |
| Bolivia | 151.00 |
| Panama | 151.00 |
| Jamaica | 201.00 |
| Haiti | 501.00 |
| June 3, 2016 | 21.30 | USA vs. Colombia | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 4, 2016 | 17.00 | Costa Rica vs. Paraguay | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 4, 2016 | 19.30 | Haiti vs. Peru | Group Stage | Fox Sports |
| June 4, 2016 | 22.00 | Brazil vs. Ecuador | Group Stage | Fox Sports |
| June 5, 2016 | 17.00 | Jamaica vs. Venezuela | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 5, 2016 | 20.00 | Uruguay vs. Mexico | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 6, 2016 | 19.00 | Panama vs. Bolivia | Group Stage | Fox Sports |
| June 6, 2016 | 22.00 | Argentina vs. Chile | Group Stage | Fox Sports |
| June 7, 2016 | 20.00 | USA vs. Costa Rica | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 7, 2016 | 22.30 | Colombia vs. Paraguay | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 8, 2016 | 19.30 | Brazil vs. Haiti | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 8, 2016 | 22.00 | Ecuador vs. Peru | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 9, 2016 | 19.30 | Uruguay vs. Venezuela | Group Stage | Fox Sports |
| June 9, 2016 | 22.00 | Mexico vs. Jamaica | Group Stage | Fox Sports |
| June 10, 2016 | 19.00 | Chile vs. Bolivia | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 10, 2016 | 21.30 | Argentina vs. Panama | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 11, 2016 | 19.00 | USA vs. Paraguay | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 11, 2016 | 21.00 | Colombia vs. Costa Rica | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 12, 2016 | 18.30 | Ecuador vs. Haiti | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 12, 2016 | 20.30 | Brazil vs. Peru | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 13, 2016 | 20.00 | Mexico vs. Venezuela | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 13, 2016 | 22.00 | Uruguay vs. Jamaica | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 14, 2016 | 20.00 | Chile vs. Panama | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 14, 2016 | 22.00 | Argentina vs. Bolivia | Group Stage | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 16, 2016 | 18.30 | TBA | Quarter-Final | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 17, 2016 | 20.00 | TBA | Quarter-Final | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 18, 2016 | 19.00 | TBA | Quarter-Final | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 18, 2016 | 19.00 | TBA | Quarter-Final | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 21, 2016 | 20.00 | TBA | Semi-Final | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 22, 2016 | 21.00 | TBA | Semi-Final | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 25, 2016 | 17.00 | TBA | Third-Place Playoff | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
| June 26, 2016 | 20.00 | TBA | Final | Fox Sports & Premier Sports |
All matches can be live-streamed in the U.S. via Fox Sports GO and in the UK via Premier Sports.
Predictions
Four additional teams have been added to the 12 nations that participated in the 2015 edition of Copa America—which host nation Chile won for the first time after a penalty-shootout victory over Argentina.
With the tournament cycle typically spanning every four years, the competition was specifically constructed to celebrate 100 years of action between CONMEBOL and CONCACAF countries.
Separated into four groups, the hosts have not been handed an easy path into the quarter-finals and face stiff competition from Colombia for top spot in Group A. Los Cafeteros arrive with bags of attacking talent, including Real Madrid forward Rodriguez, Juventus' fleet-footed winger Juan Cuadrado and AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca. Jose Pekerman's side are expected to go far in the tournament, per the pre-tournament odds from Odds Shark.
Rodriguez will enter the Copa full of confidence, and he posted a picture of himself on Twitter with the UEFA Champions League trophy:
However, Jurgen Klinsmann's U.S. team will also have to be wary of Costa Rica, aided by the devastating pace of Arsenal forward Joel Campbell and the creative instincts of captain Bryan Ruiz. Los Ticos are quick on the transition and could upset the apple cart should they be underestimated.
Meanwhile, Paraguay—who beat Brazil to qualify for the semi-finals last time out—have the durability and defensive resilience to frustrate any side in the competition. Experienced forward Roque Santa Cruz leads the team, while 22-year-old forward Derlis Gonzalez has the potential to be a match-winner.
Brazil are expected to overwhelm their Group B opponents in the States when the tournament kicks off in two days' time. The five-time FIFA World Cup winners can look toward Chelsea duo Willian and Oscar for attacking inspiration, due to the absence of captain Neymar.
Brazil have made a last-minute call-up to their squad, with a Paris Saint-Germain player named in Dunga's team, per the French club's official account:
Peru are not the force of last year, when they secured a third-place finish, and manager Ricardo Gareca has named a young squad, with future tournaments in mind. Claudio Pizarro, Jefferson Farfan and Juan Manuel Vargas all failed to make the 23-man roster, but the competition's highest-ever scorer, Paolo Guerrero, will participate.
Ecuador are likely to threaten Peru for the second qualification spot, while Haiti—ranked No. 74 in the world, per FIFA.com—will be venturing into their very first Copa.
Group C sees Mexico meet Uruguay in a battle for top spot in the table, with Venezuela and Jamaica likely forced to hope for a slip-up from the two traditionally successful nations. Luis Suarez will hope to feature in his first Copa competition since La Celeste's 2011 triumph, after he was forced to sit out last year's action due to a worldwide suspension for biting.
SBISoccer founder Ives Galarcep confirmed Suarez will miss the group stage of the competition due to the injury he picked up in Barcelona's Copa del Rey success:
In the final group, South American heavyweights Argentina and Chile have been drawn alongside one another, in a repeat of last year's final. Led by Messi and Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez, respectively, Odds Shark expect the two nations to challenge for the tournament's top prize in June.
The Barca striker will be desperate to seal his first international title after runner-up finishes in 2015 Copa and the 2014 World Cup. However, Argentina will have to overcome minnows Panama and 1963 champions Bolivia in the process.
The competition is expected to be fierce in the U.S. in June, with the unpredictability of the Copa America format churning out unlikely winners in previous years. The 45th edition of the tournament may be Messi's best chance to secure a maiden international crown but the likes of Brazil, Colombia and Chile will all be hoping to record their own place in history.
