WITH the Copa America about to kick off in the USA, let's explore the best matches to place correct score bets on, using key trends and recent results to beat the bookies.
Why the Copa America correct score betting market is worth exploring?
If you can pick correct scores then it's a great way to make a tidy profit as the odds are always high in this market. Even in game where one side is a heavy favourite, such as 1/4 shots Argentina in their opener against Canada, the shortest odds in the correct score market is the 9/2 at Betfred for a 2-0 victory.
There's a reason why the odds are so good and it's because predicting the actual score is much tougher than backing a winner or even going for a team in the handicaps.
But there are times when going for a certain scoreline can be a shrewd move, with some tight games having a 0-0 draw written all over them or likely to be settled by a single strike.
There's always a danger your bet can be scuppered right up until the final whistle but punters usually have the option to cash out if the correct score bet is up and the clock is ticking down.
Which Copa America games could be of interest here?
United States v Bolivia
It's hard to predict what we're going to get from the hosts of the Copa America as the USA's results have been erratic in the warm-up games. They were humiliated in a 5-1 loss to Colombia but followed it up with a creditable 1-1 draw with Brazil to head into the finals with a bit of confidence restored.
Boliva travel to Texas for the opener in Group C and aren't in great shape, having lost five of their first six World Cup qualifiers. The Bolivians have only scored four goals during that run so the Americans should win this one without conceding.
Opening games can sometimes be a bit nervy so it could pay to back a 1-0 home win at 11/2 while going for a 2-0 scoreline reduces the odds a little to 9/2.
Brazil v Costa Rica
A lot is expected of the Brazilians this summer and they'll be desperate to make amends for losing to bitter rivals Argentina in the final of the last Copa America on home soil.
New boss Dorival Junior certainly possesses a squad packed with attacking talent and Brazil have scored eight times across his four games in charge. But his side have also been conceding a lot of goals, shipping six during the same run of games.
Brazil open against a Costa Rica side who were hammered 7-0 by Spain at the last World Cup in Qatar. They also conceded four against Germany at the same tournament so that suggests Dorival's attack could get a bit of joy.
Argentina beat Costa Rica 3-1 in a recent friendly and a repeat of that scoreline against the Brazilians pays 10/1 at Befred.
Colombia v Paraguay
If you're looking for some thrills then I don't recommend tuning in to watch Paraguay in action all that often.
They've played six World Cup qualifiers so far and those games have produced a grand total of four goals, with one of those strikes coming deep into injury time.
Colombia have the task of trying to break down Paraguay's well-drilled defence in their Copa America opener and might need a bit of patience.
The 0-0 draw pays 13/2 but Colombia are in decent form so it might pay off to back them for a 1-0 win 4/1 instead.
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
