Although Without Neymar, Here's Why Brazil Will Still Dominate Ecuador, Peru and Haiti in Copa America Group B Play

By David Salazar May 25 2016, 11:34 AM EDT

The Copa American Centenario gets underway in just under a week. The tournament will be a showcase for the best teams across two continents and should provide for some dynamic styles and entertainment.

Group B will likely be one of the more interesting groups to keep tabs on with one supposed powerhouse playing three teams that are unknown quantities in this tournament.

Brazil is the favored side in a group including Ecuador, Haiti and Peru. Haiti is likely the team most likely to face elimination and yet neither Ecuador or Peru is a sure thing.

Brazil's Competition

The Peruvians had a strong Copa America but have struggled out of the gate in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, winning just one of six matches and already facing an uphill battle to overcome the six points that separate them from a qualifying position.

Ecuador is very much in the hunt, sitting second in the World Cup qualifying campaign, but struggling in recent matches after a solid start. The team heading to the US is strong featuring the likes of Enner Valencia, Jefferson Monter and Antonio Valencia. Yet this team is rather old, with an average age of 27.

But of course Brazil is the team with all the spotlight.

Brazil Without Neymar

Dunga's side has been a disaster in tournaments with last year's Copa America a major disappointment. The team got out of its group as the top side but then failed to pass the quarterfinals matchup with Paraguay and has not looked convincing since.

The World Cup Qualifiers have been a mixed bag with the Selecao sitting in sixth place with only two wins, three draws and a defeat. The squad heading into this tournament features major heavy hitters such as Dani Alves, Filipe Luis, Marquinhos, Luiz Gustavo, Willian, Douglas Costa, Philippe Coutinho, Casemiro, Rafinha and Hulk but lacks Neymar.

The Barcelona forward has been the heart and soul of the team over the last few years and yet his presence on the squad is quite paradoxical. On one hand, Brazil has been unable to make deep runs without his prowess. On the other hand the team has at times looked freer in its attack without having to defer to the superstar. Neymar is not going anywhere regardless of the results of this tournament, but it might be very telling of how important Neymar really is if this Brazil side manages to win it all or make it deep without him.

Best Player in the Group

That honor would have automatically gone to Neymar but this time it will go to Douglas Costa who has been a revelation for Bayern Munich. The forward has blazing speed on the wing and a lethal ability to make plays and score goals.