Copa America Group B Winner Odds & Tips - Ecuador Tipped to Top Section

Can Mexico improve on recent stumbles, or will an in-form Ecuador emerge as group winners?

Let's take a closer look at Group B. 

World Ranking: 14

Copa America Appearances: 10

Copa America Wins: 0

Mexico are the favourites to top Group B, but their recent form leaves plenty of question marks heading into the tournament. Three wins in their last eight matches is hardly the best record, but El Tricolor should still fancy their chances of escaping what looks like one of the weaker groups in the competition. 

The midfield, anchored by Edson Álvarez, remains a strength, while Alexis Vega offers plenty of attacking threat on the flank. A lack of genuine firepower is an issue, but not one unique to this national team. Guillermo 'Memo' Ochoa and Hirving Lozano are notable absentees from Jamie Lozano´s selection. 

The Mexicans kick off their campaign with a tricky opener against tournament outsiders Jamaica. Failure to collect three points against the Reggae Boyz would leave Mexico with a tough-looking path towards progression. 

World Ranking: 31

Copa America Appearances: 28

Copa America Wins: 0

Ecuador enters Copa America 2024 with plenty of optimism. While they've never reached the final, a wave of young talent, coupled with a recent run of good form makes them a genuine threat in Group B and beyond.  

17-year-old prodigy Kendry Paez, already drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi, is poised to be one of the tournament's breakout stars. Veteran forward Enner Valencia remains a key figure while Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo will hope for a better summer after a tough first season with the Blues.

Ecuador's recent form has been impressive, with a 2-0 loss to Italy ending a six-match unbeaten streak that included victories over Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, and Guatemala. This consistency, in contrast to Mexico's recent indifferent form, suggests that La Tri could emerge as section winners.

Unfortunate not to make the knockout phase at the World Cup in 2022, I fancy the Ecuadorians to progress from the section, ahead of Mexico, as group winners. 

World Ranking: 54

Copa America Appearances: 18

Copa America Wins: 0

Venezuela enters Copa America 2024 as a team on the rise, and with plenty of momentum after a strong start to their World Cup qualifying campaign. With two wins and only one loss in six WC qualifiers over the past 12 months, La Vinotinto have shown their chances of qualification from Group B cannot be dismissed. 

Unbeaten in their last five competitive matches, the Venezuelans have proven a tough nut to crack in the past 12 months. Fernando Batista´s side conceded just two goals in their last five matches. 

While their Copa America history may not be as decorated as Mexico's or Ecuador's, Venezuela's recent unbeaten run suggests they are capable of causing an upset. The attacking duo of Josef Martínez and Salomón Rondón remains a threat, and their new-found defensive stability gives them plenty of cause for optimism this summer. 

In a competitive section, La Vinotinto could yet emerge as the surprise package of Group B.

World Ranking: 55

Copa America Appearances: 2

Copa America Wins: 0

Jamaica return to the Copa America for the third time in their history after group stage appearances in 2015 and 2016. 

The Reggae Boyz boast a rather unwanted record of having lost all six matches in their two previous appearances at this tournament. Jamaica also failed to score a single goal in all six previous games at the Copa America.

While very much underdogs to escape the group - the Reggae Boyz can be backed at 6.0 to qualify - Heimir Hallgrímsson´s side showed some of their qualities in seeing off Canada during their recent run to the Nations League semi-finals. 

With the likes of Leon Bailey and Michail Antonio among their attacking options, Jamaica could yet pose a threat in a particularly competitive-looking section.

Group B  presents a mix of familiar and less frequent encounters. Mexico and Ecuador share a storied rivalry, with El Tri historically dominating. However, recent encounters have been more closely contested, with Ecuador winning two of their last four contests.

Venezuela's meetings with Mexico and Ecuador have often been one-sided, with both sides enjoying comfortable victories over La Vinotinto. However, the Venezuelan's recent resurgence suggests these matchups could be more competitive this time around.

Jamaica have had limited success in previous meetings against all three nations, although they have picked up draws in two of their last three matches against Mexico. 

Group B of Copa America 2024 kicks off with an intriguing clash between section favourites Mexico and CONCACAF rivals Jamaica at the NRG Stadium in Houston on June 23rd.

The action then shifts to Las Vegas, where Ecuador faces Jamaica at the Allegiant Stadium on June 26th. Later that evening, Venezuela takes on Mexico at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

The final round of group matches sees Jamaica clashing with Venezuela at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, while Mexico and Ecuador face off in what could be a battle for top spot at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, both on July 1st.

This is a tough section to call with much confidence. All four nations will feel capable of qualification, and I expect the final round of fixtures to prove decisive in determining who makes their way through to the quarter-final stage.

Ecuador should have enough quality to top the section, while I wouldn't be shocked to see Venezuela pip Mexico to second spot.