Lionel Messi and Argentina will kick off their 2015 Copa America campaign on Saturday when they take on Parguay at the Estadio La Portada de La Serena.
After finishing second at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Argentina comes into the tournament as the overwhelming favorites. The 2015 edition of the Argentina national team is arguably better than the one from last summer that was just a last minute Mario Goetze goal away from heading to penalty kicks with a chance to win the World Cup.
Messi comes into the tournament fresh off one of his best seasons in his soccer career. Messi led FC Barcelona to just the second Treble in team history after hoisting the cup as the La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League titleholders.
Messi is hungry for a championship on the international level with his home country, and we feel that the 2015 Copa America is jut the tournament that will give it to him. Messi will be surrounded by Manchester United's Angel di Maria, and Man City's Sergio Aguero, both of which are coming off fantastic season in the English Premier League themselves.
Messi will also have his Barca teammate Javier Mascherano at his side forming one of the most lethal midfields and offensive fronts the world has seen. Argentina is coming off a smashing 5-0 victory over Bolivia in their last match on the international level, and while Bolivia is no powerhouse, they did pick up a point against Mexico on Friday after securing a 0-0 result.
Paraguay will prove to be much stiffer competition than Bolivia, as they were the runner ups in the 2011 Copa America tournament. That team however has gotten weaker over the years, missing the 2014 World Cup entirely.
The manager of that 2011 finalist Paraguay team was Gerardo Martino who has switched sides and will now try and lead Argentina to the crown. Argentina recently played Paraguay in a friendly and destroyed them 5-2. Argentina should have no problem in this one.
Prediction: 3-0 Argentina
Betting Favorite: Argentina -1.5 goals
Over/Under: 2.5 goals.
The match will kick off on Saturday, June 13th at 5:30PM EST from the Estadio La Portado in La Serena, Chile. It will air live on beIn Sports network and can be live streamed here.
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