Copa America: Argentina v Canada - Match Preview & Odds
3 minutes Here you’ll find the latest team news, match insights and betting tips as well as the best free bets offers and pre-match odds
The first Copa America semi-final takes place at the MetLife Stadium on Tuesday as holders Argentina take on Canada for a spot in Sunday’s final.
As we look ahead to this huge fixture in New Jersey, here at betting.bet you’ll find the latest team news, match insights and football betting tips as well as the best free bets and pre-match odds from our partners at Virgin Bet.
Copa America Form
World champions Argentina have always been amongst the favourites to win a second successive Copa America title and they have impressed in the USA this summer. Argentina topped Group A with three wins from three against semi-final opponents Canada (2-0), Chile (1-0) and Peru (2-0).
Argentina looked on course for another win and another clean sheet in their quarter-final match against Ecuador thanks to a first-half Lisandro Martinez goal but Ecuador equalised in the 92nd minute, taking the tie all the way to a penalty shootout. Argentina emerged as match winners on penalties despite Lionel Messi’s botched Panenka.
Canada bounced back from their opening game defeat to Argentina to finish second in Group A thanks to a 1-0 win over Peru and a 0-0 draw against Chile. Like Argentina, Canada needed penalties to progress beyond the quarter-finals. Canada led at half-time against Venezuela in a match that would end 1-1. Canada missed two penalties in the shootout but won 4-3 to set up a rematch against Argentina.
Team News
Lionel Messi returned to the Argentina starting line up against Ecuador having sat out his country’s third group game against Peru. Lautaro Martinez is the top goalscorer at Copa America and should be given the nod to start alongside Messi at the expense of Manchester City’s Julian Alvaraz.
In midfield Giovanni Lo Celso may be preferred to Enzo Fernandez whilst Angel Di Maria will hope to feature from the bench at least.
Inter Milan’s Tajon Buchanan will not feature for Canada in the semi-final after sustaining a broken leg in a training session ahead of the quarter-final win over Venezuela. Canada are likely to name an unchanged starting XI for the third successive game with quarter-final penalty hero Ismael Kone set to return to the substitutes bench.
Possible Line Ups
Argentina: E. Martinez, Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico, De Paul, Mac Allister, Lo Celso, Gonzalez, Messi, La. Martinez
Canada: Crepeau, Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies, Osorio, Eustaquio, Laryea, David, Shaffelburg, Larin
Betting Tips
Argentina were worthy winners when these sides met in their opening group game and there is nothing to suggest that that result will be reversed in this week’s semi-final. Argentina look solid value at 5/19 to get the tie wrapped up inside 90 minutes.
Ecuador’s last-gasp equaliser in the quarter-final was the first goal conceded by Argentina at Copa America and their watertight defence should see them through to Sunday’s final. Argentina to win to nil is our bet of the day at 8/13.
Lautaro Martinez has contributed four of Argentina’s six goals in the USA this summer and despite Lionel Messi topping the various goalscorer markets it is his strike partner that gets the nod. Lautaro Martinez will prove a real bargain at 23/20 to score at any time whilst the 16/5 on offer for the Inter Milan forward to score first should be given real consideration.
Match Odds
| Argentina | Draw | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| 5/19 | 15/4 | 8/1 |
Predicted Match Result: Argentina 2-0 Canada (10/3)
