Copa America 2024: Argentina x Canada, Match Preview, Odds and Predictions(21/06/2024)

In Thursday's tournament opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Argentina will take on Canada to start their defense of their Copa America crown.

With six CONCACAF teams competing, Canada is slated to compete in its first Copa America after defeating Trinidad and Tobago in a playoff.

Argentina x Canada Team News

Scaloni had the difficult choice of leaving out Valentin Barco, Leonardo Balerdi, and Angel Correa when he presented his final 26-man squad after the victory against Guatemala.

With his 112 international games under his belt, seasoned defender Nicolas Otamendi is slated to partner Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero at center back.

The Argentina manager is debating whether two Enzo Fernandez players—Alexis Mac Allister and Leandro Paredes—should start in a midfield three with Rodrigo De Paul of Atletico Madrid.

Messi will aim to increase his 108 international goal total when he starts in Thursday's Copa America opening, having scored twice against Guatemala recently.

For Canada, Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich is one of the team's most notable players. The left-back will play in a back four with Derek Cornelius, Moise Bombito, and Alistair Johnston.

Stephen Eustaquio of Porto will don the captain's armband and line up in the center of the field with Ismael Kone of Watford.

Having scored 26 goals in 48 international games, Lille marksman Jonathan David will be one of his nation's primary goal threats.

Head To Head And Previous Matches

Lionel Messi won the first international title of his illustrious career when Argentina defeated their old rivals Brazil in the 2021 Copa America final to win the competition for the first time since 1993.

The 2022 World Cup saw La Albiceleste repeat their Copa America victory by defeating France on penalties in an exciting final to win the prized trophy for the first time since 1986.

Lionel Scaloni's team has been playing well since winning the World Cup; they have won 13 of their last 14 games and lost just one, so they will have a lot of momentum going into the USA competition this summer.

Argentina won both warm-up games 1-0, then overcame Guatemala with a free-scoring performance to win five straight games after losing to Uruguay unexpectedly in October.

After finishing its preparations, La Albiceleste will now devote all of its attention to the critical business of Group A, and the world champions will be firm favorites to win the championship ahead of Canada, Chile, and Peru.

Argentina and Canada will play for the first time on Thursday of the tournament since the illustrious Diego Maradona-led team easily defeated Canada 5-0 in a friendly match in May 2010.

As one of the six CONCACAF nations competing, Canada will make its Copa America debut, whereas Argentina has won 15 times.

Canada's inability to place among the top four teams in the 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League meant they would have to compete in a playoff.

Ultimately, the Canucks showed off their superior talent by winning 2-0 in the playoff match against Trinidad and Tobago in March, with two goals from Cyle Larin and Jacob Shaffelburg in the second half.

Before the 2026 World Cup, which they will co-host with the USA and Mexico, Canada may see the Copa America as a fantastic chance to put themselves to the test against some elite teams.

Canada will also compete under new management after hiring Jesse Marsch this month, allowing the American to restart his managerial career after leaving Leeds United in February 2023.

Marsch's team lost severely, 4-0, to the Netherlands this month to start his term, but he would have been cheered by the fact that they held France to a goalless draw in response.

Our Predictions

Argentina to win @1.30 on Sky247.ng 

When Argentina plays Canada in Atlanta on Friday to open the 2024 Copa America, the world champions under Lionel Scaloni should have an easy time of it.

Since defeating France on penalties in Qatar eighteen months ago, La Albiceleste has won 13 of their 14 games; 11 of those victories have ended in a nil-point victory for Scaloni's team.

A victory by one goal against bitter rivals Brazil stands out in their remarkable run, and Canada has the talent or form to match such a powerful team. 

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