Argentina vs Canada Prediction: The champions begin their defence
Lionel Scaloni's men are back to defend their Copa America title with one of the best starting elevens in world football. Every department is stacked with world class talent, from goalkeeper to the front line it is hard to spot a weakness in this team. They start their defence with a Group A clash against Canada who also have some outstanding talents in their ranks aswell.
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Team News
Argentina will be missing the services of four World Cup winners when they line up for the Copa America this time around. Juan Foyth of Villarreal, Alejandro. "papa" Gomez, who is serving a two year ban, Thiago Almada of Atlanta United and Paulo Dybala were left out of the preliminary team. Angel Correa, Leonardo Balerdi, and Valentin Barco were also cut from the final squad. Even with all those stars cut from the squad, Argentina are not short of exceptional talent at their disposal. Lionel Messi, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria are all fit and ready to participated in the Copa America.
Jesse Marsch was appionted Canada's New manager in May of this year. With Canada Making their debut in this years Copa America a lot will be expected from stars like Alphonso Davies, Tajon Buchanan and Jonathan David who have all made the squad.
Argentina Predicted Line-up (4-3-3): Martinez, Molina,Romero, L. Martinez, Tagliafico, Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister, De Paul, Di Maria, Alverez, Lionel Messi
Canada Predicted Line-up (4-4-2): Crepeau, Davies, Cornelius, Bambino, Johnston, Millar, Eustaquio, Kone, Buchanan, Latin, David
Match Odds
The Odds on Canada causing an upset are set at 44/5 and a draw is at 21/5. A win for Argentina is 27/100 and the Double Chance Home or Draw is 3/50. Home or Away Double Chance Home or Away is 13/100 and 39/20 for a Draw or Away.
3 Way - Argentina 27/100
It has been a very successful spell for Lionel Scaloni with Argentina. He has won the Copa America, The FIFA World Cup and the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions since joining in 2018. His contract runs until 2026 which means we will have another bite at the FIFA World Cup Title but before that, he has to try defend his Copa America title. This title defence starts with a clash against Canada on Friday Morning South African time. In a group that has Canada, Chile and Peru. The World Number One is expected to breeze through this group with little to no difficulty.
Jesse Marsch will lead Canada from the dug out after his appointment in May of this year to the National team. He has managed Canada through two matches since his appointment and he is still to register his first win with the Canadians. Many fans of the Canadian National team have argued that his first match was a baptism of fire. They lost by 4-0 against the Netherlands but managed to secure a draw against a pre-euro 2024 France. That baptism of fire will continue of Friday morning when they face Argentina.
Argentina have no losses in their last five matches, further to that they have nine wins in their last ten matches. They wiped the floor with every opponent they faced during their World Cup qualifiers. The only exception being Uruguay, the pre-copa friendlies followed the same theme with Argentina registering four straight wins. The last time these two teams met on a football pitch, Argentina beat Canada 5-0 in an international friendly in 2010. On paper, this an Argentina win.
