Copa America Final 2016: Odds, Form Guide and Pick for Argentina vs. Chile

Argentina are the betting favourites for the Copa America Centenario final against Chile at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on Sunday. La Albiceleste will be looking for revenge after losing out on penalties in the 2015 final.

Like any team facing Argentina, La Roja will need a plan for keeping Lionel Messi quiet. It's a tall order, but the holders have the midfield resources, particularly in the form of deep-lying player Charles Aranguiz and tireless runner Arturo Vidal.

Here are the odds and form guide ahead of the final, per Odds Shark and Oddschecker:

Team	Form	Odds
Argentina	WWWWWW	-140. Draw, +260.
Chile	WWWWLL	+400. Draw, +260.

First Goalscorer	Lionel Messi (15-4), Gonzalo Higuain (4-1), Eduardo Vargas (10-1)
To Score 2 or More Goals	Messi (13-2), Higuain (7-1), Vargas (35-1)
To Score a Hat-Trick	Messi (33-1), Higuain (35-1), Vargas (150-1)
Both Teams to Score	Yes (21-20), No (5-6)
To Win on Penalties	Argentina (10-1), Chile (10-1)

Preview

Argentina's recent form is flawless and includes a 2-1 win over the holders in the first group match of this year's tournament—one of only two blots on Chile's copybook for the last six matches.

In that first meeting, Argentina ran the show thanks to goalscorers Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega controlling midfield. But the former is a big doubt for the final as he recovers from injury, according to Goal.

Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

His creative influence is sure to be missed, even if Argentina have still found goals easy to come by without him. It helps that Messi is equal parts creator and goalscorer, evidenced by his four assists at the tournament, per Fox Soccer.

The deep-lying players in Chile's midfield must close off the spaces in front of the box Messi loves to carry the ball into. It will help if Marcelo Diaz is fit for the final, as his experience and tenacity will be vital qualities.

Of course, the match won't all be about Chile trying to nullify Argentina's threat. La Roja boast considerable attacking menaces of their own, particularly tournament-leading scorer Eduardo Vargas.

The 26-year-old is a clever mover in and around the box who saves his best form for international level. Vargas is 1-2 with Oddschecker to finish as top scorer at the tournament—a safe bet if he adds to his six goals by netting in the final.

B/R's Sam Tighe explained why the performances of Messi and Vargas will decide this final:

Vargas will do well to outshine the efforts of Messi, who has made this tournament his own, despite playing a cameo role in several matches.

Count on Messi producing one more piece of magic to decide this final.

Pick: Argentina