Copa America - Group B preview

ARGENTINA

Previous Copa America best: Winners (1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993)

Head coach - Gerardo Martino: He may have had a trophiless 12-month stint in charge of Barcelona recently, but the 52-year-old showed during his time in charge of Paraguay that he has all the credentials to be a successful international manager. During his five-year spell, Paraguay produced their best ever World Cup showing in 2010 when they reached the quarter-finals, before making the final of the Copa America in 2011.

Key player - Lionel Messi

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It is sometimes said that until Messi leads Argentina to international glory, he cannot be put on the highest pedestal alongside the likes of Pele and his fellow countryman Diego Maradona. Whether you agree with that or not, what is undeniable is the fact that the 27-year-old heads into this tournament in arguably his best form for many years. He scored 58 goals last term as Barca won a La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble. On a personal level, the left-footed maestro will be looking to end a miserable Copa America record, which includes a defeat to arch rivals Brazil in the final eight years ago.

Sports Mole says: If Messi is able to replicate the sort of displays that he has produced for his club side of late, Argentina have more than half a chance of winning a record-equalling 15th Copa America crown. Add to that the fact that Martino has the luxury of also picking from the likes of Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel di Maria and Javier Mascherano, who provides great balance to the team, it becomes increasingly difficult to make a case against the World Cup runners-up.

Did you know? The Copa del Rey triumph over Mexico in Ecuador in 1993 remains the last major international trophy won by La Albiceleste.

Previous Copa America best: Winners (1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1956, 1959, 1967, 1983, 1987, 1995, 2011)

Head coach - Oscar Tabarez: When Tabarez was appointed Uruguay boss in 2006, they had failed to qualify for three of the previous four World Cups. Since then, La Celeste have been transformed, finishing fourth in the 2010 World Cup, before they lost out in the last 16 to a James Rodriguez-inspired Colombia 12 months ago. He has also enjoyed plenty of success during his two Copa America campaigns to date, ending up fourth in 2007 and then guiding his nation to the title in 2011 - a run that included a penalty shootout victory over Argentina.

Key player - Edinson Cavani

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A lot of the talk in Uruguay has centred, unsurprisingly, around the absence of the suspended Luis Suarez. The Barcelona striker remains banned from international football as a punishment for biting Italian centre-back Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup. However, in Cavani, they possess a striker who heads into the tournament on the back of scoring 31 goals in all competitions for French double winners Paris Saint-Germain. Just as he can be for his club thanks to the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cavani tends to be shunted out wide when Suarez is available, so he should thrive from playing through the middle.

Sports Mole says: Since 1991, the Copa America title has been retained on three occasions, but Tabarez is up against it this time around. Not only is he without Suarez, his squad is going through a transitional phase following the retirement of seasoned campaigner Diego Forlan, while defenders Diego Lugano and Martin Caceres are injured. The Uruguayans should get out of the group with minimal fuss, but after that, there are nations with more quality.

Did you know? No South American nation has lifted the Copa America on more occasions than Uruguay (15).

Previous Copa America best: Winners (1953, 1979)

Head coach - Ramon Diaz: Following the departure of Martino in 2011, Paraguay lost their way on the international scene. After the current Argentina head coach had moved on, Paraguay went through three managers as they made a hash of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, which would be the first edition of that tournament without La Albirroja since 1994. Following his exploits in the Primera Division Argentina with River Plate, whom he guided to six titles in three separate spells, the Paraguayan Football Federation turned to Diaz, an international novice. He is yet to taste victory, with three friendly encounters ending in two draws and a defeat.

Key player - Nestor Ortigoza

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Born in Argentina, the 30-year-old obtained Paraguayan citizenship just in time to play at the 2010 World Cup and since then he has become a key member of the squad. In an age where midfielders are often pigeon-holed by either their defensive or attacking capabilities, Ortigoza is more of an old fashioned box-to-box player. Last year, he scored the winning goal from the penalty spot as San Lorenzo won a maiden Copa Libertadores title.

Sports Mole says: Publicly he may say differently, but there is little doubt that Diaz is concentrating more on qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, rather than events in Chile over the next few weeks. Having said that, while Argentina and Uruguay should battle it out for top spot, Paraguay are bound to fancy their chances of booking their place in the quarter-finals by virtue of finishing as one of two best third-placed sides.

Did you know? Goalscoring goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert refused to play in the 1999 Copa America, which was hosted by Paraguay, because he believed that the money used to fund the tournament should have be ploughed into education.

Previous Copa America best: First appearance

Head coach - Winfried Schafer: During the German's time in charge of Cameroon, he guided the Indomitable Lions to success at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations and runners-up at the next year's Confederations Cup - a tournament that was overshadowed by the death of Cameroonian midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe. Since being appointed boss of Jamaica in 2013, the 65-year-old, who spent much of his playing career with Borussia Monchengladbach, has overseen a Caribbean Cup triumph.

Key player - Rodolph Austin

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He may be without a club following his recent release by Championship club Leeds United, but Austin remains the heartbeat of the Jamaican squad. During the aforementioned Caribbean Cup success 12 months ago, the 30-year-old was voted Player of the Tournament. He also scored the penalty that secured the shootout win over Trinidad & Tobago in the final. The skipper has a no-nonsense approach in midfield which is going to be crucial if Jamaica are to ruffle a few feathers.

Sports Mole says: It seems a long time ago since the Reggae Boyz lit up France 98. While they were unable to get beyond the group stages - which included a 5-0 hammering from Argentina - they won many admirers for an adventurous, if not a little naive, playing style. Since then, Jamaica have struggled to make an impact on the international scene, accept in the Caribbean Cup. Their record against the major nations does not bode well either, having been thrashed 8-0 by France last year. They are in the tournament as one of two invited nations and should only be looking to enjoy the experience.

Did you know? Eight members of the Jamaica squad ply their trade in England, but only two of those (Adrian Mariappa and Wes Morgan) play for Premier League clubs.

Saturday, June 13
Uruguay vs. Jamaica
Argentina vs. Paraguay

Tuesday, June 16
Paraguay vs. Jamaica
Argentina vs. Uruguay

Saturday, June 20
Uruguay vs. Paraguay
Argentina vs. Jamaica

Prediction: 1. Argentina 2. Uruguay 3. Paraguay 4. Jamaica