Bolivia vs. Argentina – 2021 Copa America (June 28)

Argentina aims to keep hold of the top spot in Group A as it faces Bolivia in the final game of the phase. Lionel Messi will become the all-time most capped player for his country if he plays – and he is still on course to win his first ever honor with his national side.

Bolivia has already been eliminated from the 2021 Copa America after failing to pick up a single point from its three group games so far. Its star players have returned from illness though, so they may see this as a chance to play for some pride before going home.

My betting preview will take a look at both teams and predict how the game will go. Read on to find out my Bolivia vs. Argentina betting pick.

It seems inconceivable that Lionel Messi has never tasted glory in his national colors. But now, in possibly his final Copa America, Argentina has steadily progressed to top its group with one game to go. Lionel Scaloni’s side would be rewarded with a quarterfinal tie against the fourth best team in the other group if that was to stay the same after this clash with Bolivia.

Bolivia should be the easiest game of the lot and, even if Scaloni does rest players, it would be a surprise if Argentina didn’t come away from Brasilia with three more points.

Bolivia has now broken the record for consecutive defeats in this competition after losing 11 in a row. The last time the Celeste even avoided defeat was when it managed to overcome Ecuador in the 2015 edition of the tournament. There is only pride left to play for now – but beating Argentina is never an easy task.

The good news is that head coach Cesar Farias should have both Henry Vaca and Marcelo Moreno back for this final game. Those two and Jaume Cuellar have been unable to start any of the fixtures in the group phase and have been sorely missed. Moreno, in particular, should be able to cause the Argentinian defenders some problems.

MyBookie tends to offer longer odds on games like this that are likely to be fairly one-sided. But even with a price like this, I am not tempted to back Bolivia to cause an upset.

Scaloni is likely to change his team around and rest players ahead of the knockout stages. But, even if the likes of Messi don’t start here, there is more than enough talent in the squad to overcome what is the weakest national side in South America.

Carlos Lampe has been very impressive in goal for Bolivia – and the Celeste does have some big names back from illness. But this will finish in another win for Argentina as it marches towards the mouthwatering prospect of a Copa America final against Brazil in around two weeks.