2016 Copa America Preview and Favorites to Win the Cup - The 'Group of Death' and 'Dark Horse'

Brazil and Argentina are expected to be the front-runners.

By Shay Parrish, CP Contributor Monday, May 30, 2016

Sixteen football teams are expected to sizzle the summer during the Copa America Centenario this coming June in the United States which brings together nothing but the best players from the Americas.

The oldest football competition starts June 3 with a kickoff game between the host, USA, versus Colombia. This year is also the 100th anniversary of Copa America thus the title "Centenario." The first one was held in 1916 with the event being held every four years.

The tournament has always been held in a South American country but organizers decided to bring it to the United State. Daily Mail said this is mainly for the money and the profit that will come in from audiences who are in America.

With talented players up against each other this join, it is hard to pick a favorite and a frontrunner. However, The18 predicted that two of the strongest teams will be Brazil and Argentina.

Brazil last held the championship for Copa in 2007 but their lineup looks promising this year with skilled players like Douglas Costa, Philippe Coutinho, Willian and Hulk. The team is also projected to be Argentina's opponent for the finals game.

On the other hand, Argentina is determined to snatch the finals trophy for this year's Copa after it only ended as a runner-up in 2015. Some notable players on the team are Angel Di Maria, Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, among others.

It was added in a Los Angeles Times report that Argentina's main player, Lionel Messi, has a big task of leading his team especially with the absence of Pablo Zabalta. The defender had to go a surgery because of the ankle injury he earlier sustained.

A possible team with a great performance during the tournament is Chile. The team of F Alexis Sanchez is predicted to be the winner especially in the group rounds. Players from the team has showed its physical prowess during earlier games but as they are threatened to be affected by the aging players on the team.

According to ESPN, other strong teams include Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Mexico. Some of the players to keep an eye on this coming June includes Claudio Bravo, Erik Lamela. Javier Pastore and Andres Guardado.

The games will be held in various cities with ticket prices starting at $60, Daily Mail detailed. Fans were, however, warned that passes to the games could be sold in higher prices.

Group of Death Pick
Group A (USA, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay)

Dark Horse Pick
Costa Rica