Goal.com's Copa America Predictions: Argentina Edge Brazil As Favourites, Radamel Falcao To Beat Neymar To Golden Boot

01-Jul-2011 2:16:00 PM

Goal.com's chief editors give their predictions on who will triumph, who will go home as the top hotshot, and who will be the surprise package in this summer's tournament

The finest and the most flamboyant South American stars are ready to dazzle the world as the 2011 Copa America draws closer. Argentina, as hosts, have been aptly labelled as favourites to lift the cup. With an outrageously talented attacking side, it's not hard to see why.

But Brazil would love nothing more than to rain on their ferocious rival's parade. Led by one of the most sought-after young sensations in Europe this summer, Neymar, the samba stars will certainly fancy their chances.

Uruguay, meanwhile, will look to build on their fourth-placed finish at the 2010 World Cup. With an attack that boasts Edinson Cavani, Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, they are the one side who can match Argentina's firepower.

Colombian striker Radamel Falcao caused a stir this past campaign in Europe with his insatiable goalscoring appetite for Porto. Could he run away with the Golden Boot? Or will Alexis Sanchez continue to impress?

Goal.com's chief editors from around the globe give their prediction.

RICHARD MORGAN | Goal.com International Chief Editor

WINNER
Argentina

Argentina to claim their first title since 1993, and a record 15th, under the guidance of Sergio Batista, with home advantage ultimately proving decisive come the final reckoning as the hosts gain revenge on arch-rivals Brazil for defeats in the previous two finals.

GOLDEN BOOT
Radamel Falcao (Colombia)

World football’s most in-form and deadly frontman continues to prove his worth ahead of a big-money move to Chelsea as his penalty-box strikes and lethal heading ability help to propel Colombia all the way to the semi-finals.

DARK HORSES
Colombia

This has to be Colombia's most exciting crop of players since the legendary team of ’93, with the team simply oozing class and attacking brio from back to front, although just a second-ever title may narrowly elude Hernan Dario Gomez’s men.

ERIC GOMEZ | Goal.com US-Latino Chief Editor

WINNER
Argentina

Argentina will take advantage of the armistice between coach Sergio Batista and Carlos Tevez to put up big numbers in front of their home crowd. Lionel Messi will finally take charge of the Argentine midfield and remind everyone of his Barca alter-ego.

GOLDEN BOOT
Carlos Tevez (Argentina)

Tevez will match up against weak Bolivia and Costa Rica sides in the group stage, giving him a chance to do some serious damage up front. If he scores in bucket loads, it'll be that much harder for Batista to keep him out of future Albiceleste sides.

DARK HORSES
Paraguay

Paraguay are primed to take the second spot in Group B, which would put them against Uruguay or Chile in the quarter-finals. I believe they match up well against either side and could well shock Brazil in the semi-finals, whom they beat in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

AMAR SINGH | Goal.com UK Deputy Editor

WINNER
Brazil

Brazil will retain the Copa America title. They have a solid group of defenders so will keep things tight at the back, a well-balanced midfield with workmanlike players and craft while in attack they are dynamic. Robinho, Pato and the most coveted teenager in football, Neymar, can cause any defence major problems.

GOLDEN BOOT
Radamel Falcao (Colombia)

Falcao will be top scorer simply because he nets all types of goals and ended the club season in stunning form. You can see him scoring against weaker teams like Bolivia and Costa Rica, while coming up against the Argentinian defence will not faze the hitman.

DARK HORSES
Colombia

The Colombians are often underestimated and relish being the underdog so could cause an upset or two. In Porto's Falcao, they have a very prolific striker whilst peppered throughout the team they have talented and confident players from Udinese's Cristian Zapata to Wigan's Hugo Rodallega.

FRANCOIS DUCHATEAU | Goal.com Germany Chief Editor

WINNER
Brazil

It will be - as so often - a head-to-head between Brazil and Argentina from day one of the tournament. While the spotlight is on Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, who has to prove his class in the national team with titles, Brazil will win through with a better team spirit. Menezes' gamble will be rewarded.

GOLDEN BOOT
Neymar (Brazil)

Neymar is the man of the moment in world football and with the trust of his coach, the youngster will use the stage of the Copa America to shine with goals, brilliance and decisiveness.

DARK HORSES
Paraguay

The focus on Uruguay will be gone after a good World Cup and a long season for their stars, and Paraguay could use the opportunity to show that they developed as a team after South Africa 2010. Lucas Barrios, a German champion with Borussia Dortmund, could bring his winning mood into the national team and prove his killer instinct.

SERGIO AGUILERA | Goal.com Spain Chief Editor

WINNER
Argentina

Playing on home turf, Argentina are the favourites to win the tournament. Batista will finally extract the best from his men, although the level of performance of Messi will still remain a mystery. With or without Messi at the top of his game, Argentina are still lethal playing at home and the Albiceleste will use this power to attain victory.

GOLDEN BOOT
Radamel Falcao (Colombia)

Falcao's inspiration has no limit. He can score in any circumstance, in any position and in any possible way and his effectiveness, together with a team that plays for him, makes him the perfect candidate for the Golden Boot.

DARK HORSES
Paraguay

Paraguay already proved in the World Cup that they are a team that know how to make the best out of their resources. They should progress at least to the semi-finals, and then it is a matter of luck for them to cause the biggest surprise of the tournament.

FABRIZIO PONCIROLI | Goal.com Italy Chief Editor

WINNER
Uruguay

Uruguay have an excellent team. They have been playing together a long time, and they know each other well. Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan are very strong attackers. In midfield they have a lot of quality, while their defence is good.

GOLDEN BOOT
Neymar (Brazil)

Neymar is the player of the moment. He is young but he is very good in front of goal. With this Brazil side, he will have many opportunities to find the net, and he really wants the world to see that he is a star.

DARK HORSES
Colombia

Colombia are not a great team but they have so many interesting young players. Look out for defender Mario Yepes, he is the soul of the line-up. If they win the first game, they can have a good tournament.

WOUT STRAVERS | Goal.com Netherlands Chief Editor

WINNER
Uruguay

I believe Uruguay haven't got the best players, but as a team they are phenomenal. Their three attackers (Suarez, Forlan, Cavani) can ruin any defence. Looking forward to seeing them doing the same things as they did at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

GOLDEN BOOT
Edinson Cavani
(Uruguay)

After his world-class season in Italy, he will get only better and better. Cavani is a nightmare to defend, and I expect him to show great skills in Argentina, and maybe even eliminate the host nation.

DARK HORSES
Colombia

Colombia are a typical team that are underestimated. They have a couple of great players, with Falcao the best example. The striker was a sensation during the last season and he can hurt defences with his magical skills and his heading. Colombia can profit from that.

SERTAC KUCUKELCI | Goal.com Turkey Chief Editor

WINNER
Argentina

Argentina were not at their best in the 2010 World Cup, but this time everything is different. They have home advantage and they have a new coach. With the quality of their squad, they will achieve a glorious victory.

GOLDEN BOOT
Radamel Falcao (Colombia)

This year, the Colombian star has been in incredible form. He has all the qualities that a striker must have. He enjoyed the biggest portion of Porto's success and he also will be the man of this tournament.

DARK HORSES
Uruguay

Everyone will expect them to achieve some success because of their World Cup performance. But the squad, especially Forlan, isn't in the best of form. They could return home very early, however, if they start well they could stun Brazil and Argentina.

RAHUL BALI | Goal.com India Chief Editor

WINNER
Brazil

The focus will be on Brazil and Argentina to make up for their rather disappointing performances at the 2010 World Cup. This will certainly be Menezes' ultimate test as he aims to bring back the flair associated with Brazilian football and, unlike Argentina, has a better set of defenders to fall back upon.

GOLDEN BOOT
Luis Suarez (Uruguay)

Expect the Liverpool striker to light up the tournament and hog the limelight given his astute technical abilities as a centre forward. Good speed, strong in the air and his knack of scoring from set pieces makes him one of the most complete strikers a coach could want to have.

DARK HORSES
Colombia

With some exceptional talent in their squad, chief among them being Falcao, Colombia can spring a surprise or two. Having one of the strongest defences in the tournament with Yepes, Cristian Zapata and protection from midfield in the form of Fredy Guarin, it only adds up to them being the dark horses of the tournament.

TONY MUTONG | Goal.com China & Hong Kong Chief Editor

WINNER
Brazil

Brazil could dominate the Copa America like in 2004 and 2007, and defeat their rivals Argentina in the final. In the hands of Menezes we could see less samba than usual but more discipline. Brazil have the best defenders and midfielders in South America and they seem very solid.

GOLDEN BOOT
Neymar (Brazil)

This Santos star is hot property now, he has demonstrated his talent in the Copa Libertadores, and now wants to set up his dynasty in the Brazil national team. He will be different from other superstars like Messi, Forlan, Sanchez and Pato, who all play in Europe, Neymar doesn't need adjust his form for this competition. And he has more enthusiasm to show what he could do for the European clubs.

DARK HORSES
Chile

Marcelo Bielsa left a good patrimony for Chile, and they still have a good team. All the best players like Matias Fernandez, Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez have been called-up and they have played together for a long time. In Group C, against Peru and Mexico (U22 team), it is not hard for Chile. They could go far in my opinion.

MICHEL NASRALLAH | Goal.com Arabic Managing Editor

WINNER
Argentina

Three factors make Argentina the favourites to win the title: firstly, Messi is extremely motivated to leave his print in this competition with the national team; secondly, playing on home ground; and finally, coach Batista has improved this Argentinian team from a tactical point of view.

GOLDEN BOOT
Neymar (Brazil)

Neymar, young and with a knack for scoring goals, he knows how to position himself and with the brilliant skills that he has he will be the top scorer.

DARK HORSES
Uruguay

Uruguay have a great squad who surprised fans in the 2010 World Cup, their players have become more experienced after last year. With stars like Suarez, Forlan and Cavani, they are most definitely the dark horses.