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Formidable front lines and leaky defences could supply us with a feast of goals in this summer’s Copa America.
On a continent where style and flair flows through footballing veins, Argentina prepares to host the most important sporting event in Latin America.
Some of the world’s best and most exciting players will be on show over the next three weeks, with names such as Messi, Neymar, Sanchez and Suarez sure to be on lips of fans until an eventual winner is crowned in Buenos Aires on the 24th July.
Current holders Brazil and home side Argentina head the betting, while the likes of Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay and Colombia are all poised to pounce should either of the big two falter.
We have 12 teams in three groups to cast our eye over. Let’s get cracking!
Preview
Group A
Argentina
The hosts enter the competition as favourites, and rightly so. True – their defence isn’t what it should be, but they have what appears to be a well balanced midfield and an attack that is jam-packed with a ridiculous amount of talent.
Manager: Sergio Batista
Look out for: Ever Banega
Star man: Lionel Messi
Odds: Evens
Sergio Batista’s men owe their fans a good performance after disappointing in last summer’s World Cup. They have home advantage this year and have been handed a straightforward group in which they are expected to sail through and reach the final stages.
Although slightly weak defensively, their starting XI is one of the strongest in world football. Obviously Messi is the stand-out name but there is also Tevez, Aguero, Higuain, Cambiasso, Zanetti, Di Maria, Mascherano, the list goes on. And don’t forget about the prodigiously gifted Javier Pastore – the Palermo playmaker can change a game in a second if allowed the chance.
If their stars perform, they will be hard to stop.
Prediction: Should walk the group. Batista is trying to mimic Barca to get the best out of Messi. If that works, who would bet against them?!
Bolivia
In last year’s World Cup qualifying campaign, Bolivia recorded wins against Brazil and Argentina, trouncing the latter in an astonishing 6-1 victory. The opening fixture is a repeat of that game where that score could well be reversed.
Manager: Gustavo Quinteros
Look out for: Edivaldo Rojas
Star man: Marcelo Martins
Odds: 150-1
Bolivia’s only hope seems to lie in their fixture against Costa Rica. The third place rule means a victory in that game might still be enough for qualification, despite probable losses against the other group members.
Quinteros’ men have few players of note but youngster Samuel Galindo, currently of Arsenal, is held in high regard. Shaktar Donesk forward Marcelo Martins is sure to ruffle a few feathers with his aerial approach.
Prediction: Two losses and a battle with Costa Rica for third place.
Colombia
Colombia are potential dark horses and offer very inviting odds. I expect them to clinch the second automatic qualification spot with wins over Bolivia and Costa Rica. They have a nicely balanced side which contains some of 2010-11’s outstanding performers.
Manager: Hernan Dario Gomez
Look out for: Fredy Guarin
Star man: Falcao
Odds: 20-1
With European football’s most deadly striker leading their attack, a healthy stay in the tournament is possible for Colombia. Not only is Falcao an expert goal poacher but he is superb in the air also. His partner, Wigan’s Hugo Rodallega, can be equally dangerous. Yepes, Zapata, Zuniga and Perea are part of a firm, experienced back-line.
In midfield they boast the winner of the European goal of the season award, Porto man Fredy Guarin. They are Argentina’s potential banana skin but will be happy to settle for second place – something they should achieve.
Prediction: Runners-up in group A, might sneak into the semis.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica will battle it out with Bolivia for that much-coveted third spot. The game between the two sides promises to be a thriller with both teams knowing that victory is probably their only chance of getting to the quarter-finals.
Manager: Ricardo La Volpe
Look out for: Esteban Alvardo
Star man: Joel Campbell
Odds: 200-1
Bryan Ruiz, their best player, is missing through injury. As a result it will be down to Joel Campbell to lead the line come the weekend. The lanky striker, who broke his international duck recently in the Gold Cup, is also due to star in the U20 World Cup later in the summer.
La Seles possess another young gem in goalkeeper Esteban Alvardo. The AZ Alkmaar shot-stopper is sure to have plenty of opportunity to show his quality as he lines up against Falcao and then, later, Lionel Messi while Costa Rica battle with Bolivia for third place.
Prediction: May just lose out on third to Bolivia.
Group B
Brazil
Brazil are Brazil; it’s as simple as that. Whichever tournament they turn-up at they assume the role of the stand-out, most high profile team present and this year’s Copa America is no different. Their squad is packed to the rafters with talent and, unlike their rivals, they boast a genuinely solid back line.
Manager: Mano Menezes
Look out for: Ganso
Star man: Alexander Pato
Odds: 9-4
Like every Brazil squad, this one is oozing with flair. However, in Lucas Leiva, Sandro, Ramires and Lucio, Menezes has a selection of guile and physicality to call upon in some key positions. This could prove vital to their success as past Brazil sides have focused too heavily on the ‘samba’ style football – which, while lovely to watch, can be thwarted by a tough opponent.
Keep an eye on the outrageously talented Santos pair, Ganso and Neymar.
Prediction: Winners. The squad is very well balanced and their strength at the back could prove decisive.
Ecuador
We should all remember Ecuador for their appearance against England in the 2006 World Cup. Their participation in Germany represented consecutive qualifications for FIFA’s premier occasion; an impressive feat, all things considered.
Manager: Reinaldo Rueda
Look out for: Christian Benitez
Star man: Antonio Valencia
Odds: 66-1
Like several teams in the competition, Ecuador have goals in their side. Felipe Caicedo, the former Manchester City striker, enters the tournament in excellent form after playing his part in Levante’s 2011 rejuvenation that saw them shoot up La Liga.
Birmingham failure Christian Benitez has re-found his goal scoring touch back in Mexico and from Antonio Valencia the frontmen can expect consistent, high quality service.
Prediction: May scrape through the groups but no further.
Paraguay
After making their first appearance in the quarter-finals of a World Cup last summer, Paraguay enter the Copa America full of confidence. Recent performances in friendly games have been less than impressive, but it is competitive football that Martino’s men thrive off.
Manager: Gerardo Martino
Look out for: Nelson Valdez
Star man: Lucas Barrios
Odds: 16-1
With the Brazilians solid favourites to top Group B, Paraguay will have their sights firmly set on second place. If they are to achieve this then it will be due to the goals of their attacking players. In Lucas Barrios they have a goal-machine who has been finding the net with unerring ease in the Bundesliga for the past two seasons.
His partner, Roque Santa Cruz, is a man with a point to prove. After an injury plagued spell at Man City, he has been made available for transfer and will see these games as a perfect opportunity to announce himself to potential suitors.
Prediction: Should qualify from the group and have the ability to cause an upset in the knock-outs.
Venezuela
Brazil are first up for Venezuela, so it appears that they will have to wait at least one more game to rectify their record of having only won two games at the Copa America.
Manager: Cesar Farias
Look out for: Yohandry Orozco
Star man: Solamon Rondon
Odds: 80-1
The Venezuelans play some good attacking football and also now have a decent defence. The presence of talismanic Jose Manuel Rey in the squad will be of benefit to the players. The 36 year old, his country’s all-time most capped player, is more likely to provide motivation in the dressing room than on the pitch.
Solamon Rondon impressed in Spain last year as Qatari millionaires Malaga avoided the drop – new signing Ruud van Nistelrooy may have more of a challenge for a starting berth than he thought. La Vinotinto also have a special young talent in Yohandry Orozco. The 20 year old lit up the South American U20’s tournament earlier this year.
Prediction: Will do well to make it out of their group.
Group C
Chile
It was a major blow for Chile to lose their much-loved coach Marcelo Biesla earlier this year, after he stepped down from his position for political reasons. The meticulous Argentine was revered by the Chilean public and respected immensely by his players.
Manager: Claudio Borghi
Look out for: Matias Fernandez
Star man: Alexis Sanchez
Odds: 11-1
Nevertheless, his legacy lives on and Chile have a major chance of upsetting the apple cart come next week. In the system new manager Claudio Borghi employs, star player Alexis Sanchez will be allowed the freedom to run riot in attack as he attempts to justify his £40m+ price tag.
The midfield is full of quality, most notably with Arturo Vidal and Matias Fernandez bestriding the centre of the pitch with crisp passing, invention and goals. The speed of Chile’s counter-attacks can be frightening.
Prediction: Tough one. They have a chance, put it that way.
Mexico
Controversy now surrounds the Mexico squad after seven players were sent home earlier this week. The incident, which involved several prostitutes, has taken the shine off their Gold Cup win, sealed with a 4-2 victory over USA just two weeks ago.
Manager: Jose Manuel de la Torre
Look out for: Pablo Barrera
Star man: Giovani Dos Santos
Odds: 50-1
It seems that the Mexicans made success in the Gold Cup their priority and, as a result, enter the Copa America with a fatigued, depleted squad. Captain Rafael Marquez is missing, as is Javier Hernandez and Andres Guardardo, meaning that the recent disciplinary action has left them with a vastly inexperienced group of players; only a handful exceed the age of 21.
Uruguay and Chile should be too strong for them and Peru will fancy their chances of beating them to third.
Prediction: Group C wooden spoon.
Peru
With Mexico tired and suffering a significant amount of disharmony within their ranks, Peru may have a chance to pip them to that potentially crucial third spot.
Manager: Sergio Markarian
Look out for: Luiz Ramirez
Star man: Paolo Guerrero
Odds: 150-1
However, they will have to do this without senior strike duo Claudio Pizarro and Jefferson Farfan, as the pair were struck down with injuries pre-tournament. The star of their midfield, left sided Juan Manuel Vargas, is also a major doubt.
Peru will be no pushovers though, with their solidarity and organization ensuring a tough match for any opponent.
Prediction: Could well escape the groups, but that’s it.
Uruguay
Stout performers in South Africa last summer, Uruguay will be waiting in the wings should either of the ‘big two’ fail to deliver.
Manager: Oscar Tabarez
Look out for: Edison Cavani
Star man: Luiz Suarez
Odds: 10-1
La Celeste have a strong squad with leading performers in defence, midfield and attack. Captain Diego Lugano marshals the back line while the daunting presence of Walter Gargano in the centre of the park is complemented by the flair and pace of wonder-kids Nicolas Lodeiro and Gaston Ramirez.
Up top, Luiz Suarez, Edison Cavani and the evergreen Diego Forlan contribute to a forward line destined to give defenders sleepless nights. Abel Hernandez completes an impressive strike-force and is sure to bag a goal or two off the bench.
Prediction: Group C winners. Capable of beating anyone on their day – the value bet.
The Verdict
It is hard to see past Argentina or Brazil. Both have excellent strength-in-depth throughout their squads and each offers an array of attacking talent seen no where else on the planet.
Brazil impress me more though – defensively they are sound and in midfield they can combine contrasting players to create stability, while still allowing us to see the Brazil we know and love.
They are a threat all over the pitch, with Maicon and Dani Alves expected to maraud forward at will to supply the in-form group of Pato, Neymar, Robinho and Fred with chances that they so easily take.
In terms of the tournaments top scorer – Messi is the obvious choice, especially when you consider he has Costa Rica and Bolivia to face. However, there is another striker in the same group who is similarly capable of scoring goals and, at a much better price, Falcao wins my vote for the golden boot.
Winner: Brazil
Top scorer: Falcao
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