Argentina vs Colombia Betting Tips: Latest odds, team news, preview and predictions

Argentina and Colombia will be aiming to make a statement when they meet at the Arena Fonte Nova in their Copa America opener on Saturday.

Caretaker manager Lionel Scaloni has overseen a major overhaul since last summer's World Cup last 16 exit, with only nine of that Albiceleste squad making it to Brazil.

Latest odds

With just one defeat to their name in 15 encounters with this opposition, his side are 6/5 (2.20) favourites with bet365 to get off to a winning start in Salvador.

However, Los Cafeteros have only lost twice in 16 fixtures coming into this tournament, and can be backed at 12/5 (3.40) to pull off a big win against the 14-time champions.

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Three of the last five meetings between this pair have resulted in draws, and you can get odds of 11/5 (3.20) on this one also finishing up all square.

Team news

Lionel Messi has defied speculation to return to the national team in time for this tournament, while Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero have been called up for the first time since last summer's World Cup.

Key midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero will miss the tournament after suffering an ACL tear while playing for River Plate in March.

Preview

While Messi's return to the side obviously provides an irresistible star quality, Scaloni is yet to definitively settle on a formation that will balance attacking brilliance with defensive solidity.

The Albiceleste failed to keep a clean sheet in four World Cup matches last year - conceding over two goals per game on average - and remain fragile if the 3-1 the recent friendly defeat against Venezuela is anything to go by.

This does not bode well for a clash against a Colombian team blessed with attacking talents such as James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao and the in-form Duvan Zapata.

Predictions

In fact, even odds (2.00) look like solid value on Carlos Queiroz's men joining Argentina on the scoresheet in an entertaining clash dominated by attacking quality.

All odds correct at time of publish. Please gamble responsibly.