Copa America: Argentina Start Off with Stiff Colombian Challenge

Argentina vs Colombia

And so it begins for Lionel Messi and Argentina. La Albiceleste kick off their Copa America campaign as they look to put an end to their 26-year-long wait for a major international trophy.

Their first test will see them face off against a dangerous Colombia side which figures to be the Argentines’ top rivals in Group B.

This is set up to be among the key match-ups of the group stage, and the Copa America 2019 betting odds suggest that this will be quite an even contest.

And with all the quality on show on both sides, this match has the potential to be a real barn burner of an affair.

Talking Points

A new-look Argentina

Argentina came out on top in both of their tune-up matches prior to the Copa. Manager Lionel Scaloni fielded a second-string squad against Morocco and won through a late Angel Correa goal.

The likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, and the other first-choice players returned to take on Nicaragua. Messi scored two goals in two minutes while substitute Lautaro Martinez bagged a second-half brace to lead the Argentines to a comfortable 5-1 win.

Scaloni went with a 4-3-3 formation against the Nicaraguans, with Aguero and Messi headlining the forward line. This will most likely be how he will set his team up against Colombia.

Messi and Aguero are more than capable of providing quite a potent offence by themselves for the Argentines. Messi, in particular, will have a significant burden to carry as the entire attack is more or less built completely around him.

But there are significant question marks surrounding their midfield. While the experienced Angel Di Maria could potentially take on one of the starting spots out wide, the likes of Giovani Lo Celso, Leandro Paredes, and Guido Martinez are all relatively untested at this stage.

With Colombia possessing so much attacking quality, Paredes and Rodriguez will play a crucial role in protecting an Argentine defence which also doesn’t look all that impressive on paper.

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2019 Copa America

Colombia quickly coming together

Carlos Queiroz’s stint as Colombia manager has been so far, so good. The Portuguese coach has led Los Cafeteros to three wins in his first four matches in charge. Their lone setback was a 2-1 defeat against South Korea away from home, although that match did not feature Colombia’s top stars from the start.

Colombia breezed past Panama and Peu in their two pre-Copa tune-up matches as they won both, 3-0. Queiroz, who is renowned as an astute tactician, particularly on defence, has seemingly had an immediate effect on the team’s backline. Colombia have kept three clean sheets in Queiroz’s four matches in charge.

Meanwhile, the Colombians also possess impressive quality up front. Captain Radamel Falcao played as the lone striker in their wins against Panama and Peru and looks set to keep that place.

That means breakout star Duvan Zapata — who scored 28 goals this season for Atalanta in Italy — will most likely start on the bench and be more of an impact sub.

James Rodriguez, who is more than capable of supplying some Copa America 2019 highlights, will continue to pull the strings in midfield. Luis Muriel and Juan Cuadrado also set to offer support in attack.

The heart of their defence is also strong, with defensive midfielder Wilmar Barrios shielding the centre-back partnership of Yerry Mina and Davinson Sanchez.

Colombia captain Radamel Falcao during a training session with teammates in preparation for the Copa America 2019 — Radamel Falcao and Colombia teammates attend a training session ahead of their Copa America match against Argentina

History

Argentina and Colombia have squared off against one another 39 times in total. As one would expect, it’s Argentina who have the upper hand in the match-up with 24 wins to Colombia’s eight, along with seven draws.

La Albiceleste have not lost to Los Cafeteros in their last eight meetings (five wins, three draws) and have lost just once in their last 12. Colombia haven’t even scored in seven of their last eight meetings, and their last win against their South American rivals came all the way back in 2007.

And in Copa America specifically, the two have met 13 times. Argentina have won nine of those meetings with Colombia winning just twice. Although, the Argentines needed penalties to beat Colombia in their most recent meeting in the 2015 quarter-finals.

Betting Tip

	Argentina vs Colombia	Draw 1X2 @ 3.10
	June 16, 06:00 (GMT+8)

While history is clearly on Argentina’s side, there doesn’t appear to be much to choose between the two sides at the moment. That’s likely why the SBOBET odds have Argentina priced at 2.28 to win and Colombia close behind at 3.15.

But I have a sneaking suspicion that this match ends in a stalemate, which is priced at 3.10. Aside from the fact that the two are quite evenly matched, both teams could come out cautiously as they look to avoid losing their very first match of the tournament, and against their biggest group rivals.