Copa America 2024 Group B Odds, Predictions, and Betting Guide

Only two CONMEBOL teams have failed to win Copa America at least once, and both of them hope to defy the Copa America 2024 odds and change that when they kick things off in Group B. 

Neither Ecuador nor Venezuela have ever lifted the trophy that every other South American nation has, and they’ll face off with each other in their first match of the group stage. That will set the table for what is probably the most balanced group of the 2024 competition, with Jamaica and favorites Mexico rounding out the squads.

Find out why Mexico being favored opens up some betting value as I preview Copa America 2024 Group B. 

Copa America 2024 Group B odds

Despite recent struggles, Mexico are a slight favorite to win the group at +107, with Ecuador (+175) hot on their heels. Venezuela and Jamaica are given an outside shot at advancing from Group B. 

Country	To advance	To win group
Mexico	-323	+107
Ecuador	-213	+175
Venezuela	+135	+490
Jamaica	+300	+1,100

Odds courtesy of Betano as of 6-14

Copa America 2024 Group B best bet

Ecuador to win Group B (+175 at Betano)

I don’t understand why Mexico is favored to win this group, and I’ll gladly take Ecuador at a great price to win Group B.

El Tri are struggling, and it’s not just an issue with recent form. That said, their 4-0 trouncing this past week at the hands of Uruguay showed how badly Mexico is struggling to replace their golden generation. While they might be ranked 14th in the FIFA rankings, they looked like they shouldn’t even be on the same pitch as the South American side.

While they performed better this weekend against Brazil, they went more than 70 minutes without a goal and conceded inside of five minutes. They found two goals but managed just 1.19 xG and continued to look lost at times in the final third.

While they’ll have home-field advantage of sorts playing in the United States, I don’t trust Mexico. They’re inconsistent and they tend to implode when things get tough. They also lack the pace their previous teams possessed, which struck fear into opponents on the break. 

I don’t have that concern with Ecuador. It helps that they won’t play Mexico until the third match of the group, and I expect them to take at least four points from the first two matches. They play staunch defense led by Bayer Leverkusen center-back Piero Hincapie, and they’ve conceded just three goals in their six CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers this cycle. 

Ecuador has lost just once in that span, a 1-0 defeat to Argentina, and their consistent reliability is something to be valued in a tournament such as this. I expect La Tri to get the result they need in that final match to claim to top spot in the Group B standings. 

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Copa America 2024 Group B team previews

Mexico (+107 to win group)

Jaime Lozano is on the hot seat despite winning last year’s Gold Cup and was before the humiliating defeat to Uruguay. He’s made it even hotter by leaving PSV winger Chucky Lozano (no relation) and legendary goalkeeper Memo Ochoa of the squad.

That means the young talent for Mexico must step up, and Edson Alvarez will need to take on a leadership role. The 26-year-old West Ham midfielder will lead a squad that is seeking its identity, and quite frankly plays much slower than in years past. 

Mexico will need productive outings from Santiago Gimenez and Julian Quinones in attack. But their hopes of winning the group could very well hinge on some relatively untested goalkeepers to keep them in matches when they make mistakes at the back. 

Ecuador (+175 to win group)

Ecuador has talent at every level of their team, starting with Hincapie in the back line. Moises Caicedo of Chelsea provides steel and creativity from midfield and will be the metronome upon which their team relies to transition from defense to attack.

Enner Valencia is likely playing in his final Copa America for his country, and his ability to link up with the young phenom Kendry Paez could lead to goals for the aging striker. 

While the absence of Brighton fullback Pervis Estupinan is a blow to the team, they have plenty of quality to fill the void. They’ll look to ride their defense in this tournament and find enough scoring to get the points they need.

Venezuela (+490 to win group)

Salomon Rondon is 34 years old but can still pose a threat going forward for Venezuela, and is coming off a recent Champions Cup final victory with Pachuca in which he scored twice against the Columbus Crew.

The veteran striker will carry a heavy burden for a team that lacks many proven players, with the majority of the squad playing in the Americas. But they do have a talented midfielder in Girona’s Yangel Herrera, while the speedy Jefferson Savarino will look to stretch defenses on the counter-attack.

Venezuela has lost just once in their six World Cup qualifiers and secured a 1-1 draw at home against Ecuador in November. They won’t be an easy team to defeat, and it wouldn’t shock me to see them find a way to escape from the group for just the sixth time in the last 20 Copa America appearances.  

Jamaica (+1,100 to win group)

Leon Bailey’s absence from Jamaica’s national team is a glaring one, and he laid bare the issues with the national soccer foundation when he announced his international retirement earlier this spring. He cited a “lack of professionalism” and sub-par facilities as well as a lack of pay.

For that reason, it’s hard to see Jamaica making much noise at this tournament. While they possess solid talent in Michail Antonio and Demarai Gray, the Reggae Boyz have a history of imploding at the worst moments. It was on display in both 2015 and 2021, when they lost all six matches across the two Copa America tournaments. 

That said, they could cause problems for a team like Mexico. Their pace on the counter-attack is a real threat, and the way Mexico plays sets them up to be hurt in that fashion. Jamaica won’t qualify, but I don’t think they’ll drop all three matches again this time. 

Copa America 2024 Group B players to watch

Kendry Paez (Ecuador and Independiente del Valle/Chelsea)

While the comparisons to an early Lionel Messi are probably a step too far, it doesn’t take long to see why people are raving about Kendry Paez and his potential.

The 17-year-old is about to make a move to Chelsea, and his creativity and dribbling ability could be key in a group that will likely feature many low-scoring matches. Paez is expected to lead the Ecuadorian team for the next decade, and this could be the tournament where he puts himself on everyone’s radar. 

Paez — Top assistman (+2,400 at Betano)

Santiago Gimenez (Mexico/Feyenoord)

At age 23, many Mexico fans hope Gimenez is ready to take a step forward for the national team.

He’s coming off a breakout season with Feyenoord in which he scored 26 goals across 36 matches for the Dutch team, but he’s managed just four career goals in 19 caps for El Tri. Given the names left off the squad, Mexico’s hopes for advancement may rest upon his ability to find the back of the net. 

Gimenez — Top goal scorer (+3,400 at Betano)

Yangel Herrera (Venezuela/Girona FC)

Herrera helped lead Girona to a Top 4 finish in La Liga and a spot in next season’s Champions League.

Now the midfield engine will hope to replicate the success he had at the Venezuelan youth level, where he led his country to the 2017 U-20 World Cup final before losing to England. He’s a force defensively, ranking in the 97th percentile this past season in Europe’s top five leagues in aerial duels won per 90 minutes while also finishing in the 85th percentile in tackles.. 

Copa America Cup Group B schedule

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