Assuming that Bolivia doesn't pull off the shocker of all shocks against Chile earlier in the day, Argentina can clinch a spot in the quarterfinals of Copa America and effectively claim its spot as the Group D winner if it can take care of business in what should be a relatively easy match with Panama in Chicago.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Argentina -550
Panama +2000
Draw +550
Over/Under 2.5 (over -140)
ODDS ANALYSIS
To say that Argentina should have an easy route into the quarters from here is an understatement. Even if this match did end up going awry, La Albiceleste would still be favored by an even heavier margin against Bolivia in the last group stage match. Even if the team trotted out a bunch of reserves at this point, anything less than the maximum nine points would be deemed a bitter disappointment for the Copa America chalk.
Argentina is laying a full two goals on the Asian Handicap and -550 on the moneyline, and that's why the total is one of the highest in this tournament at 2.5 and -140 vig on the over.
TOURNAMENT UPDATE
Panama will have its shot against Chile to get into the last eight of this tournament, but the fact of the matter is that it's already achieved what most figured it would. The Panamanians took out Bolivia for their first ever win in this tournament, and they have Blas Perez to thank. The veteran striker slotted two home for the first brace by a player in this tournament. He wasn't nearly as good on the day as two goals suggest, and the second was merely pushing one home into an empty net, but there's nothing that should be taken away from any man scoring twice in a tournament which has had just three teams in eight matches score two goals.
Argentina played a rather entertaining opening match with Chile on Monday night, but there was never a doubt who the superior team was. Angel Di Maria was the best player on the pitch for either side, and he came up big when he had to with Lionel Messi benched. A stoppage time strike by Chile made that match look closer than it really was though, as the Argentines were always in full control in the second half.
LIVE BETTING
The only question we have in this match is whether Messi is going to play or not, and that's going to play a huge role in the live betting. If Panama wasn't able to keep Juan Carlos Arce from hitting home in rainy Orlando on Monday night, we can't imagine it would be able to hold off an Argentine team playing at full strength with Messi and Di Maria up front at the same time with Gonzalo Higuain.
Still, there are bigger matches to play than this one down the line, and being able to hold Messi out for the rest of the week might give him just enough time to get back to full strength with his banged up back.
QUICK PICK
Panama really showed us something against Bolivia by coming back and taking the match in the 87th minute after letting a weaker side equalize less than a half hour earlier. Could that actually put it in a position to get a point from Argentina? We wouldn't be stunned if that turned out to be the case.
In every major tournament, you see shocking upsets like this one. And just as Argentina more or less fell asleep at the wheel when it allowed Chile to score with the last touch of the ball on Monday, we can't help but wonder if this match will end up being a bit of a sleepwalk as well, especially if Messi isn't able to start as we suspect will be the case.
If Perez has another moment of brilliance in him, something we definitely don't discount knowing that this is probably his last rodeo in a major tournament for his country, this match could end on level terms. Take the whopping two goals.
Copa America Odds: Argentina 1, Panama 1
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The fixture between Argentina and Panama will take place on Friday, June 10, 2016, at 9:30 p.m. at Soldier Field. The game will be broadcast live on FOX.
