South America’s Outright Betting Odds: Outrights on the Continent

The top flight leagues across South America are returning and our football expert Nathan Joyes has carefully picked out a trio of best bets to back. 

From a team catching the eye in the Argentina Primera, giants of the game in Colombia, and champions looking to defend their title in Peru, find out what our South American expert is tipping across the three nations.

Argentina Apertura Zone A Winners Odds: Big spenders make plenty of appeal

Both Boca and River Plate have spent big during the off-season but surprisingly there’s another team that has splashed the cash rather unexpectedly.

That team is Estudiantes, whose relationship with US business tycoon Foster Gillett has raised plenty of eyebrows from other teams. The American’s willingness to purchase top players in South America with his own money in order to help Estudiantes compete may be bizarre – but it could prove effective.

Their marquee signing was Boca Juniors’ highly-rated Cristian Medina for €14.6m, an astonishing amount of money in Argentina, who was on the radar for European and Saudi clubs.

Facundo Farias was also brought in from Inter Miami for just shy of €5m, and let’s not forget Estudiantes aren’t a small club – and that was competing in the Copa Libertadores group stage last campaign.

They’ve started their Apertura campaign brightly, and with more signings expected, there is a possibility that this team under Eduardo Dominguez is fast tracked to success by the end of 2025. It’s a long old season in Argentina, with plenty of matches across two formats, but with Boca, River and Racing Club all expecting success in cup competitions, Estudiantes may do their best work domestically. Priced as big as 8.0, the big spending club can compete with the “big names” – especially if more names are brought in.

• Selection: Estudiantes – Argentina Liga Profesional Winners 
• Best Odds: 8.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Argentina Liga Profesional winners odds via bet365 as of 07/2/2025. Odds may now differ.

Colombia Primera Winners Odds: No Libertadores Worries

Finding a winner for the Colombia Apertura is often rather challenging. With plenty of big teams, it means the league is wide open – which has also witnessed plenty of shocks in recent years. Only last year, Atletico Bucaramanga finished top – and yet this time round they are priced as big as 41.0.

Atletico Nacional went on to win the second tournament in 2024 and are your current favourites at 5.0 having won their first two matches to nil, but managing the Copa Libertadores, cup and the Apertura could well take its toll.

Their arch-rivals, Independiente Medellin, have brought in Penarol’s goalkeeper Washington Aguerre and San Lorenzo’s forward Francisco Fydriszewski, but their midfield lacks depth and players capable of scoring double digits to challenge for top spot.

Millonarios’ Radamel Falcao (38) and Junior’s Carlos Bacca (38) continue to shine in their final years, but both can’t sustain 90 minutes no more – and perhaps that is where their respective teams chances end.

But one team that stands out is America De Cali. With no Copa Libertadores to worry about, they’ve also managed to sign Racing Club’s Juan Quintero. The Colombian single handedly guided his team to the Copa Sudamericana final in 2024, and America De Cali fended off plenty of other top Colombian clubs to land his signature. His impact could be crucial.

Away from Quintero, America De Cali’s team looks rather well-balanced from front to back. Boston River’s Santiago Silva has also been brought in to be their no.1 goalkeeper, while no key exits left during the transfer window – another huge plus.

This is also Jorge Da Silva’s second stint in charge of the club, and having taken them to the cup final last campaign, he knows his team can achieve success in 2025 – especially with Quintero at his disposal.

• Selection: America De Cali – Colombia Primera Winners (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 5.50
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Colombia Apertura winners odds via bet365 as of 07/2/2025. Odds may now differ.

Peru Liga 1 Winners Odds: The U’s to retain their title

Universitario finished top of the Apertura and Clausura last campaign, and there’s every reason to believe they can replicate that success. The U’s managed to claim top spot on the final round of the Apertura, and having lost just one player in the latest window, Fabian Bustos can continue his fine work in Peru.

In short, it’s likely to be between them, Alianza Lima and Sporting Cristal.

The experienced Argentine manager heads into the new campaign with a 60% win ratio from his 40 competitive matches to date. Three of his six defeats came in a tough Copa Libertadores group stage, whereas nine of the 26 goals his side conceded also came in the competition.

At home in the Apertura, Universitario won all eight matches and conceded just once. On the road, they picked up 16 points, the second highest behind Sporting Cristal.

Alianza Lima, who narrowly lost the Clausura to Universitario, have lost their star defender Juan Freytes to Fluminense. Several new faces have been brought in, none bigger than Peru’s all-time top goalscorer Paolo Guerrero, who has plenty to offer despite reaching 41.

However, the Peruvian captain will miss the first few weeks of the season due to a nasty injury picked up in their Copa Libertadores qualifier, and Alianza Lima might be playing catch up within the first few rounds.

Sporting Cristal missed out on the Apertura title on goal difference. They’ve looked to strengthen and have brought in Catriel Cabellos from Racing Club. The midfielder scored six goals while on loan with Alianza Lima last season, and he’s a solid addition. 

Their success, however, is measured on one player. Forward Martin Cauteruccio may be 37, but he scored 35 goals in 29 league appearances last campaign. He’s their golden ticket to the title – but one injury and their title bid looks over. I’d rather put my faith in a solid team than one individual, which is why Universitario look good value to finish top once more.

• Selection: Universitario – Peru Liga 1 Winners (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 3.25
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Peru Liga 1 winners odds via bet365 as of 07/2/2025. Odds may now differ.

Ecuador LigaPro Serie A Winners Odds: Lack of competition for LDU Quito

Champions LDU Quito are the favourites to win the Ecuadorian title but there’s lots to like about their price. Despite losing Lucas Piovi to Estudiantes, the reigning champions have kept the vast majority of their squad together.

In the league’s second phase, the 2023 Copa Sudamericana champions picked up 35 points from just 15 matches. Forward Alex Barrios scored 28 goals in 31 league games – and the Paraguayan has stayed in Ecuador. Nothing flashy has happened in the market, but there wasn’t a need to. 

Their closest rivals in the betting, Independiente del Valle, could be in for a tough season. They’ve lost several key assets during the off-season and have failed to bring in adequate replacements.

Keny Arroyo signed for Besiktas, Joao Ortiz has moved to the MLS, promising left-back Yaimar Medina has gone to Gent, while Joaquin Pombo has moved to Banfield. Teenage sensation Kendry Paez has linked up with Chelsea earlier than scheduled, while club captain Junior Sornoza is out injured at the start of the campaign.

With so many absences, Independiente del Valle are in a transition period, which hands a huge advantage to the reigning champions.

Barcelona SC are LDU’s closest competitors but are a side based in Guayaquil – a city with little to no altitude – and with at least half the clubs in the league playing at altitude, they’ve often struggled on the road. Admittedly, their squad is improving after going through a transition period themselves, but there’s work to do to match LDU Quito’s level.

• Selection: LDU Quito – Ecuador LigaPro Serie A Phase 1 Winners (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 3.25
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Ecuador LigaPro Serie A winners odds via bet365 as of 17/2/2025. Odds may now differ.

Chile Primera Winners Odds: Can anyone catch Colo Colo?

At this stage of the article, it may appear as though I’m leaning towards plenty of favourites, but over in Chile it’s a two-horse race to win the title. That race looks to be between the holders Colo Colo and Universidad de Chile – and preference is for the current reigning champions, Colo Colo.

Despite losing star midfielder Carlos Palacios to Boca Juniors and defender Falcon Picart to Inter Miami, the club reacted well to bring in replacements. Central defender Sebastian Vargas joined on loan from Monterrey – and scored on his debut – while Claudio Aquino was brought in from Velez Sarsfield to cover the loss of Palacios. The Argentine scored nine and created four assists as he helped his former club to win the title.

Forward Salomon Rodriguez, who scored eight in 23 games for Godoy Cruz – also signed. Combined with a midfield consisting of Vicente Pizarro and Arturo Vidal, Colo Colo look well equipped to go all the way once more.

There’s mixed views on Universidad de Chile. The addition of Argentine forward Lucas Di Yorio from Brazilian outfit Athletico PR caught the eye, while top goalscorer Leandro Fernandez chose to stay. Their partnership could be very exciting.

Yet Cristian Palacios, the club’s top goalscorer, has moved to domestic rivals Everton, while Emmanuel Ojeda has returned to Argentina on loan.

Universidad de Chile’s attacking players may well look exciting, but not everything is rosey off the pitch. There appears to be issues surrounding their finances, while trying to qualify for the Copa Libertadores group stage adds not only pressure, but also congests their fixture list further.

Without a league title since 2017, they took last year’s to the final day but came up short. Has that taken a lot out of them? Time will tell, but Colo Colo are tried and tested, who’s new players look to be very shrewd signings.

• Selection: Colo Colo – Chile Primera Winners (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 3.25
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Chile Primera winners odds via bet365 as of 17/2/2025. Odds may now differ.

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