Argentina vs Canada Prediction: Messi sets sights on another final
Argentina are on track to defend their Copa America title and they are massive favourites heading into their semi-final with Canada. Jesse Marsch has done well to take Canada to this stage, after they edged past Venezuela on penalties to make it to the final four in their very first Copa America appearance. Below you can find my Argentina vs Canada prediction, featuring betting tips and team news.
Team News
Lionel Scaloni has a couple of big decisions to make for this one. Lionel Messi was partnered by Lautaro Martinez for the quarter-final instead of Julian Alvarez, and that decision paid off as Martinez found the net. However, the Manchester City man is still an option for the manager to consider. Angel Di Maria was left on a bench but is likely to get some game time here, while Enzo Fernandez is set to start again in midfield.
Meanwhile Marsch is likely to be without Tajon Buchanan, with Ali Ahmed set to retain his place in the team at wing-back ahead of Richie Laryea. Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was the star of the penalty shootout as he stopped two Venezuela penalties, while Ismel Kone scored the winning penalty for Canada.
Argentina predicted starting XI:
E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Lo Celso, Gonzalez; Messi, La. Martinez
Canada predicted starting XI:
Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies; Osorio, Eustaquio; Laryea, David, Shaffelburg; Larin
Argentina are the clear favourites for this one, priced at 33/100 to win this game in 90 minutes, while Canada are a big price at 8/1. A draw is available at 18/5, BTTS is 73/50 and over 2.5 goals is 97/100.
Over 2.5 goals @ 97/100
Clearly Argentina are the big favourites for this game, and I do believe they will come out on top. However, I think there is value to be had in this market by backing over 2.5 goals. Argentina have a wealth of attacking quality and although they haven’t been tearing teams apart at this Copa America.
None of their games so far have seen over 2.5 goals, but I don’t think that will last here. Canada have been fortunate to reach this stage of the competition, lost 2-0 to Argentina in the group stage and I think there is a clear gap between the two teams. I think this game will feature plenty of goals, and I’m expecting Messi in particular to come to the fore and find the net.
Argentina -2 @ 53/20
They won 2-0 in the group stage, but I think Argentina will go one step further here and take Canada to the cleaners. Messi, Di Maria, Martinez and Alvarez should be able to run riot against this defence, and there are still massive question marks around Canada in general.
They have only won one game in 90 minutes so far this tournament, and that was a 1-0 success against 10-man Peru in the second group game. I don’t think they will be able to get close to Argentina in this semi-final, so I think the value lies in backing Messi’s men to win with a -2 handicap.
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