Brazil and USA are the focus of my Copa America Matchday 1 best bets.
The pregame narrative: The Brazilians enter with the second-shortest odds to win it all and they should lay a beating on a severely outmatched Costa Rican side. Before that, USA seems poised to fill the net against Bolivia.
Check out these Copa America best bets for Matchday 1.
Copa America best bets for Matchday 1
Click link to add selection to betslip. Note: Lines have changed/market no longer available if grey.
| Picks | Odds | Bet now ⬇️ |
| Brazil over 2.5 goals | -143 | Add to betslip |
| USA over 2.5 goals | +100 | Add to betslip |
Go to full Copa America betting markets.
Copa America best bet
Best Bet: Brazil over 2.5 goals (-143)
This is a big tournament for the Selecao.
Brazil lost to Argentina in the 2021 Copa America final and crashed out of the 2022 World Cup in the quarter-finals after losing to Croatia in penalties.
The team then lost three straight World Cup qualifying games to close out 2023.
Things have changed since Dorival Júnior was appointed manager in January — the team is 2-2-0 with victories over England and Mexico and a draw to Spain — but a solid international result seems necessary for a team with this much talent.
I expect the Brazilians to come out firing against bottom-feeding Costa Rica.
Brazil tied Spain 3-3 and beat Mexico 3-2 within the last few months. Both those teams have stronger defences than Costa Rica, which has conceded three-plus goals in four of its last nine games.
The Selecao will be without Neymar, who tore his ACL, but still have world-class talents like Vincicius Jr., Rodrygo, Raphinha, and superstar 17-year-old Endrick.
I am bullish on playing Brazil over 3.5 goals at +185 but will opt for more safety at a more juiced number.
Key stat: Brazil have cashed this bet in two of their last three games.
Quick pick
USA over 2.5 goals (+100): I'm looking to make the same bet with USA against Bolivia.
The Americans have their golden generation of superstars with Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Weston McKennie, Giovanni Reyna and Yunus Musah all doing damage in Europe at the age of 25 or younger.
That group was bounced by a solid Dutch side in the 2022 World Cup but has only gotten more experienced and should fare much better in Copa America.
USA hasn't been great heading into the tournament, with a 2-1-2 record in 2024 and a -1 goal differential. That said, Bolivia is a really weak side. It has lost five of its last six games and conceded three goals in four of those matches.
This is a soft landing spot for an American team with boatloads of talent. Expect the Stars and Stripes to put on a show in front of their home fans.
Picks made at 1:25 p.m. on 06/20/24.
