Argentina vs Canada Prediction & Betting Tips (21 June)

As the defending champion of this Copa America and reigning world champion, Argentina enters this competition with enormous pressure and immense status to justify. Worse still, this team arrives with a huge amount of confidence since it has crushed practically everything in its path since its coronation at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 by winning 11 of its last 12 meetings. Only Uruguay, in November, was able to cast doubt on the Albiceleste 0-2 which also recovered well by dominating Brazil 0-1 to remain at the head of the qualifying group of the Amsud zone for the next Cup of the world. Last March, Leo Messi's partners quite easily won against El Salvador 3-0 and Costa Rica 3-1 in two friendly matches. Before entering the tournament, they won against Ecuador 1-0 and they will still challenge Guatemala. On the other side of the field, Canada is one of the 6 teams from the Concacaf zone invited to participate in this Copa America and he will therefore play the first match in his history in this competition this Friday evening.

Overall in progress for several years thanks to a great generation, this team however disappointed during the World Cup by finishing last in its group with 3 defeats on the clock. The Canucks were also unable to raise their heads the following year, losing in the final of the Concacaf Nations League against the United States 0-2 and then being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup. Recently, Jesse Marsch's players won against Jamaica 1-2 before losing to the same team a few days later 2-3. Last March, they recovered against Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 before sinking against the Netherlands in their first match in June. Finally, they were able to raise their heads against France 0-0 in order to regain a little confidence when approaching this match.

Two major absences should be noted on the Argentinian side. These are those of full-back Foyth (Villarreal) and striker Dybala (Roma, 38 caps, 3 goals) who are injured. Otherwise, the Albiceleste still presents itself with its big armada for this competition, always masterfully led by Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, 181 sel, 106 goals) and his lieutenants in the offensive sector that are Di Maria (Benfica, 139 sels, 31 goals), Lautaro Martinez (Inter, 57 sels, 22 goals) and Julian Alvarez (Manchester City, 30 sels, 7 goals). Behind, we should obviously find the goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) protected by a tough defense composed in particular by Tagliafico (Lyon), Pezzela (Bétis), Acuna (Seville), Romero (Tottenham), Otamendi (Benfica, 111 sel), and Molina (Atlético Madrid). Finally, in the heart of the game, the rough De Paul (Atlético), Paredes (Roma), Mac Allister (Liverpool) and Enzo Fernandes (Chelsea) will also be present.

Also note the presence of the Marseillais Balerdi and the former Parisian Lo Celso. Canada will also rely on a majority of its executives like its stars like the left piston Alfonso Davies (Bayern Munich, 47 sel, 15 goals), midfielder Eustaquio (Porto) and his attackers Cyle Larin (Mallorca, 68 sels, 29 goals) and Jonathan David (Lille, 48 sels, 26 goals). Otherwise, the other captains are defenders Laryea (Toronto FC), Miller (Portland Timbers) and Johnston (Celtic), midfielders Osorio (Toronto FC), Piette (CF Montreal) and Koné (Watford) and attackers Hoilett (Aberdeen, 63 caps, 16 goals) and Buchanan (Inter). On the other hand, the important defender Vitoria (Chaves), the midfielders Fraser (FC Dallas) and Kaye (New England Revs) and the striker Cavallini (Puebia, 40 sels, 19 goals) are not present in the Canadian delegation.