Argentina vs. Canada Odds, Picks & Predictions: Baptism Of Fire For Canada

Canada's inaugural Copa America match will be a baptism by fire as they take on world champions Argentina on Thursday in Atlanta. We have you covered with our Argentina-Canada predictions based on the odds from our best soccer betting sites. 

Canada plays a nothing-to-lose opener against the defending World Cup and Copa America champions, Argentina. The champs have lost just once in their last 20 matches, a 2-0 World Cup qualifier setback at home against Uruguay in November. Canada has won one of their last four but should enter the tournament on a high after tying France 0-0 in a June 9 friendly in Bordeaux.

Argentina, the overwhelming favorites to beat Canada, are also the Copa America odds' favorites. This matchup will mark just the second time these nations have played, with the first meeting occurring in 2010.

Argentina vs. Canada predictions for Thursday

• Final score: Argentina 3 - Canada 0 (+750 via FanDuel)
• Lionel Messi anytime goal scorer (-115 via FanDuel)
• Best bet: Argentina win and Over 2.5 goals (+100 via DraftKings)

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Argentina vs. Canada score prediction

Argentina 3 - Canada 0

Canada is excellent going forward, and they have a chance to score at least one against an Argentina defense that conceded against lowly Guatemala and Costa Rica in recent friendlies. However, those were meaningless friendlies, the polar opposite of Thursday's contest. Argentina kept a clean sheet in five of their last six World Cup qualifiers, shutting out Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, and Brazil. The only blemish came in a 2-0 setback to Uruguay. 

Canada's new head coach, Jesse Marsch, will want to play a high-tempo, high-pressure style. That game plan can make life uncomfortable against Argentina as long as they don't commit individual mistakes; easier said than done. Even if they don't make costly errors, containing Messi, Julián Álvarez, and Lautaro Martínez may be too much to ask of a Canadian team devoid of top-end talent in a few pivotal positions. 

Best odds: +750 via FanDuel

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Argentina vs. Canada anytime goal scorer prediction

Lionel Messi, Argentina

The bet most people will make for this game is as obvious as it is appealing. Lionel Messi should be salivating at the prospect of playing against Derek Cornelius and Moïse Bombito. No disrespect intended, but Messi can make the world's best defenders look sillier than somebody who shows up at a formal in track pants. Cornelius and Bombito are capable defenders but are not among the world's best. 

Messi was introduced after halftime against the Colorado Rapids, Bombito's club team, in an April 6 MLS contest and scored 12 minutes later. The magical maestro has 11 goals in 12 MLS games and scored four goals in seven matches at Copa America 2021. He also has 10 in his last 10 appearances with Argentina. At -115, FanDuel's odds represent a 53.49% probability. A $10 bet will garner $8.70 if Messi scores at least once.  

Best odds: -115 via FanDuel

Argentina vs. Canada best bet

Argentina win and Over 2.5 goals

Winning this match would represent Canada's most impressive upset. Argentina lost their opener to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup, so anything is possible. However, Argentina learned from that wildly unexpected 2-1 loss, and I don't see them allowing complacency to set in.

Whether Canada scores or not, this game should hit the Over. Argentina can score in bunches if the opponent lets their guard down, even momentarily. The first 45 minutes are critical for Canada, but once Argentina scores, which they almost certainly will, I expect a couple more to follow. The +100 odds represent a 50% probability, and a $10 bet pays a profit of $10 if at least three goals are scored. 

Best odds: +100 via DraftKings

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Argentina vs. Canada game info

• When: Thursday, June 20 8 p.m. ET
• Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
• How to watch: FS1, TUDN (U.S.), TSN (Canada)
• Favorite: Argentina (-320 via DraftKings)

Argentina-Canada predictions made Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET.

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