Jun 20, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Argentina ahead Lionel Messi (10) in motion towards Canada throughout the second half at Mercedez-Benz Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports activities Sure, Canada will present up for its Copa America semifinal towards Argentina on Tuesday in East Rutherford, N.J., though Canadian coach Jesse Marsch admits the billing might be David vs. Goliath.
Argentina, ranked No. 1 on the planet, is the defending champion of Copa America 2021 and the 2022 World Cup. Canada, ranked forty eighth, is enjoying in its first Copa America.
“They’ve solely misplaced twice in 5 years,” Marsch mentioned. “Messi is one of the best participant to ever play the sport. However we imagine we’ve an opportunity and that is the best way we’re getting ready.”
ODDS TRENDS
Argentina is the -295 favourite at BetMGM, the place it has been backed by 53 p.c of all cash wagered on the match winner regardless of very quick odds. Canada has drawn 56 p.c of the overall bets because the +850 longshots.
The percentages of the match ending in a tie and going to penalty kicks has been backed by 13 p.c of the bets and 9 p.c of the cash at +400.
PROP PICK
Over 2.5 Targets (-120): Argentina’s first 4 Copa matches have common simply 1.75 mixed objectives, together with a 2-0 win over Canada within the opener. In the meantime, Canada has reached the semifinals regardless of discovering the again of the web simply twice via 4 video games. Nevertheless, the general public nonetheless expects to see extra offense within the rematch, making the Over on this prop the preferred of all obtainable on the e book for this match.
MESSI ‘DOING OK’
The incomparable Lionel Messi, hampered by a leg harm within the group stage, performed the complete match within the penalty shootout win over Ecuador within the quarterfinals on Thursday. He is anticipated to go well with up as La Albiceleste march towards a document sixteenth Copa America title.
“He is doing OK and he will be a part of the match,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni mentioned. “It is as much as me to resolve and once I see he is in good situation, even when he isn’t one hundred pc, he’ll nonetheless play.
“Even when he isn’t at his greatest, he nonetheless has quite a bit to present.”
FAMILIAR FOES
Canada, which used penalties towards Venezuela to advance out of the quarterfinals, is assured though it misplaced 2-0 to Argentina within the opening match on June 20. It was scoreless earlier than Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored within the second half on possibilities created by Messi.
“We all know how good Argentina is as a result of we performed towards them however we additionally had success in sure moments,” Marsch mentioned. “I mentioned after the (Venezuela) match that we in all probability should play an ideal match and perhaps even then it will not be sufficient.”
He is keen however cautious for the rematch.
“It is useful that we performed towards Argentina already so there’s much less of an unknown,” he mentioned. “But when good groups, the nearer they get to titles, the extra they’re capable of kick it into one other gear so I count on Argentina to ship their greatest efficiency but on Tuesday.”
UP NEXT
The winner advances to the ultimate on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla., towards both Uruguay or Colombia, who meet Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C.
–Area Degree Media
