The 2024 Copa America continues Monday evening with Brazil and Costa Rica squaring off in a crucial Group D duel. The reigning tournament runner-up kicks off its campaign against the so-called ugly duckling of the group. After Argentina and the United States coasted to wins, all eyes are now on Brazil.
SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California plays host to this decisive duel. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. CT on Monday. Fox Sports 1 will have nationwide coverage in the United States. Let’s break down the odds.
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2024 Copa America preview: Brazil vs. Costa Rica odds, prediction, best bet
There is no team more battle-tested than Brazil over the last nine months. Seleção has taken on Argentina, Colombia, England, Mexico, Spain, the United States and Uruguay. While they struggled early, they’re unbeaten in their last four. Dorival Júnior’s team comes into this match in fine form as it looks to reclaim its Copa America throne.
Costa Rica also considers itself in form, just against significantly weaker opposition. Los Ticos have lost just one of their six matches in 2024, which came against the Copa America favorite, Argentina. Gustavo Alfaro’s side now looks to build on a pair of dominant wins over Saint Kitts and Nevis and Grenada against one of the best teams in the world to start its tournament run.
Let’s take a closer look at the odds and trends ahead of this highly anticipated Copa America clash:
Brazil vs. Costa Rica
Time/TV: Monday, June 24 at 8 p.m. CT (Fox Sports 1)
Location: SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California
Moneyline: Brazil -1050 | Draw +1000 | Costa Rica +2600
Analysis: This is as big a David vs. Goliath story as you will find at the 2024 Copa America. Costa Rica was one of the pre-tournament long shots at 220/1, whereas Brazil was among the favorites at +220 (11/5).
As if the odds weren’t stacked against Los Ticos enough, there is hardly any experience within their squad. 13 of the 26 players on the roster have fewer than 10 international appearances and just three have 25+ caps for Costa Rica.
Goals are also a big issue for Alfaro’s side heading in. The seven forwards have a combined 206 appearances for Costa Rica but they’ve managed just 37 goals. 27 of those 37 (73%) have been scored by one man in Joel Campbell. Spartak Moscow’s Manfred Ugalde was the lone scorer against Argentina, so expect Los Ticos to lean on him in a big way over the next few weeks.
On the other hand, Brazil’s 26-man squad is filled with some of the brightest young stars in world football. Dorival Júnior has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal, especially in attack. Real Madrid trio Endrick, Rodrygo and Vinicius Júnior all hope to play big parts. The attack will also feature Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, Barcelona’s Raphinha and Girona’s Sávio.
If goals were a concern for Costa Rica heading in, those headaches won’t be alleviated with one of the world’s best goalkeepers between the sticks for its first opponent. Brazil and Liverpool shot-stopper Alisson is truly world-class and it’ll take a lot to rattle the back of the net at this tournament.
Seleção is expected to dominate this match in every major statistical category, especially chance creation and possession. Nobody has truly kept their foot on the gas at the Copa America just yet — Uruguay is the only team to score three goals thus far — so this result likely won’t be as nasty as it could be. Nevertheless, it’ll be a dominant win for Brazil to open up the tournament.
Prediction: Brazil 3-0 Costa Rica
Best bet: Rodrygo anytime goalscorer (+105 at FanDuel Sportsbook)