With Vinicius Jr. making his case as the best player on the planet, Brazil's Copa America 2024 odds offer demand high expectations despite Neymar missing the tournament with a knee injury.
They’ve got a point to prove too. The balance of power has unquestionably shifted in South America after Argentina won the 2021 Copa America against Brazil in Brazil, then powered to a World Cup crown in Qatar. That means extra pressure on the Brazilians to deliver this summer.
The latest Copa America odds have Brazil at +200 to be Copa America kings, and there’s every chance we’ll see another showdown between these two great soccer rivals in the final.
Brazil Copa America 2024 odds
Odds as 6-17
Brazil expected starting XI for Copa America 2024
Brazil boss Dorival Junior sprung a few surprises with his squad selection. With some veteran omissions and a few untimely injuries, this Brazil squad has a different feel from the one that fell short at the last World Cup.
So let’s look at the Brazilians’ potential starting line-up. Dorival Junior will be spared the agonizing task of choosing between world-class keepers Alisson Becker and Ederson at this tournament, with the Manchester City stopper ruled out after fracturing his eye socket. That should cement Alisson as the No.1 and he’s no stranger to the big stage, including four starts for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup.
In the Brazilians’ expected 4-3-3 formation, Marquinhos and Gabriel seem the likeliest pairing at the heart of Brazil’s defense, with Eder Militao waiting in the wings after an injury-hit year.
There are options at full-back but Porto’s Wendell and Juventus’ Danilo have the experience edge over emerging right-back Yan Couto, who should still feature after an eye-catching season on loan at Girona.
With Casemiro left out of Brazil’s Copa America squad, the central midfield roles belong to Bruno Guimarães, Lucas Paqueta, and Douglas Luiz. Guimaraes and Luiz are coming off impressive Premier League seasons, but it will be worth watching how Paqueta performs given the off-field questions hanging over his head.
The midfield options beyond that trio are less experienced at this level, with Andreas Pereira, Joao Gomes, and Atalanta’s Ederson combining for just five international caps.
It’s the top end of the pitch where Brazil’s quality should really shine through. The pace and movement of Vinicius Jr. arguably gives Brazil the biggest talent in this Copa America. He scored 15 league goals in 22 starts for Real Madrid this season and added six more in the Champions League, including a late strike in the final.
Sure, Neymar’s absence hurts, especially against defensive-minded opponents, but it opens the door for Vini Jr., Rodrygo, and 17-year-old sensation Endrick to grab the headlines. Gabriel Martinelli and Raphinha are also in contention for minutes in Brazil’s front three.
Brazil best bet for Copa America 2024
Over 6.5 group stage goals (+105 at Betano)
While Colombia looms as a threat to challenge Brazil for top spot in Group D, I expect Dorival Junior’s men to come out firing in their early fixtures. With Vini Jr. and Rodrygo fueled by La Liga and Champions League glory, Brazil have the game-changers to unlock even the most stubborn backlines.
Then there’s Endrick, who’s set to join the Brazilian contingent at Real Madrid this summer. He scored in friendlies against England and Spain in March and he’s poised for a breakout tournament.
Though Brazil’s form late in 2023 set off some alarm bells, the firepower is undeniable. We saw that last summer in a 5-1 win over Bolivia and four-goal performances against Senegal and Guinea.
That makes the plus odds enticing for the Brazilians to score at least seven goals across their three group games, and that’s my favorite prop on the board for Dorival Junior’s men.
They start their Group D run against a Costa Rica team that lost 3-1 to Argentina in March and put up some ugly defensive numbers in 2023. Brazil should be able to cash in there, particularly if they can score early and force Costa Rica out of their shell.
Then it gets tougher, with tests against Paraguay’s stubborn defense and the talented Colombians, who beat Brazil 2-1 last November. But I’m still trusting the attacking threats in this Brazilian squad – and the possibility that the void left by Neymar will allow others to find their best form.
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Brazil Copa America 2024 schedule and odds
- Monday, 6-24: v. Costa Rica
| Brazil | 9:00 p.m. ET | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| -526 | Moneyline | +1,500 |
| +570 | Draw | +570 |
| Over 3.5 (+135) | Total | Under 3.5 (-167) |
- Friday, 6-28: v. Paraguay
| Brazil | 9:00 p.m. ET | Paraguay |
|---|---|---|
| -256 | Moneyline | +775 |
| +360 | Draw | +360 |
| Over 2.5 (-110) | Total | Under 2.5 (-110) |
- Tuesday, 7-2: v. Colombia
| Brazil | 9:00 p.m. ET | Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| OTB | Moneyline | OTB |
| OTB | Draw | OTB |
| OTB | Total | OTB |
Not intended for use in MA.
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