Copa America outright predictions: Nunez can silence his critics

- Argentina favourites to succeed in the United States
- Uruguay hoping to build on recent momentum
- Recommended bet: Darwin Nunez to score most goals in the competition

International football continues to dominate our TV screens this summer, and the action comes thick and fast as the 2024 Copa America gets underway in the United States.

Defending champions Argentina go into the tournament as favourites in what could be Lionel Messi's last appearance in the showpiece event.

Brazil of course are not too far behind their arch rivals m in the outright market, although hosts USA are not expected to be competing for silverware under coach Gregg Berhalter.

Argentina expected to defend their crown

After years of waiting, Messi finally got his hands on the Copa America trophy in 2021, as Argentina succeeded on Brazilian soil with Angel Di Maria netting the decisive goal in the final.

It was the start of a great 12 months for Messi, as he also went on to win the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. The 36-year-old is still playing at a high level, and will once again spearhead Lionel Scaloni's side.

As well as Messi, Scaloni has Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez to choose from in attack, and his side go into the tournament in good form, having registered five straight wins, a run started by a 1-0 success in Brazil.

Argentina have only lost two of their last 54 internationals, and they are chasing history this summer as they aim to become the first team to win successive tournaments with World Cup glory sandwiched in between.

La Albiceleste are 7/4 with LiveScore Bet to retain their crown, and it is hard to look past them considering their recent form.

Brazil have work to do

Selecao will always be dangerous at the Copa America, but Dorival Junior's side have struggled to build up any momentum ahead of their opening fixture against Costa Rica.

Brazil are unbeaten in four games, but they were held to a 3-3 draw by Spain, while they drew 1-1 with the USA in their final warm-up game.

They have only won two of their opening six matches in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, but with Vinicius Junior, Endrick and Rodrygo in the squad, they should be able to at least reach the final four of this year's tournament while they are 9/4 with LiveScore bet to go all the way.

Prediction

Argentina are difficult to oppose in the outright market, while there is plenty of value in the top goalscorer market.

Former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has transformed Uruguay's fortunes, and La Celeste are one of just two teams that have beaten the world champions in the last four years.

They have recorded wins over Brazil and Argentina since he took charge, and he has got the best out of striker Darwin Nunez.

The Liverpool frontman netted a hat-trick in Uruguay's 4-0 win over Mexico, and he has scored in five consecutive matches for his country, finding the back of the net on eight occasions in total.

Nunez offers plenty of value in the outright goalscorer market at 6/1 with LiveScore Bet, and with 15-time winners Uruguay expected to make a deep run at the tournament, he looks more than capable of getting his hands on the Golden Boot.