Uruguay vs Paraguay
Qualification for Group A of Copa America is done and dusted, with all four quarter-final spots decided with a game to spare. However, the exact order of the four teams – Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay – is still up in the air.
Uruguay and Paraguay clash in their final group game, with the Paraguayans looking good to finish in the top two after their surprise 2-0 win over Chile in their most recent match. Another upset victory over Uruguay would send them to the quarter-finals with a lot of positive momentum.
However, La Celeste picked up some much-needed confidence in their 2-0 win over Bolivia and still have the firepower to bring the Paraguayans down.
Talking Points
Uruguay still relying on superstar strikers
After a couple of underwhelming performances to begin Copa America, Uruguay finally picked up their first win of the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Bolivia. Jairo Quinteros’ own goal put them in front in the first half, and Edinson Cavani struck 11 minutes from time to seal the win.
Cavani is now up to 52 goals in 121 caps, 12 behind all-time leading scorer and long-time strike partner Luis Suarez’s 64.
The 34-year-old strikers are clearly not at their best these days, but they are still so central to La Celeste’s system since Uruguay simply lack anyone else who can get them a goal. Prior to Suarez scoring in a 1-1 draw with Chile, they had not scored in their previous four matches.
The defence, led by former Atletico Madrid teammates Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez, remains solid. The same goes for the midfield, with Rodrigo Bentancur, Fede Valverde, and Matias Vecino.
However, they are lacking a creative spark to provide service for Suarez and Cavani. Manager Oscar Tabarez has started Giorgian De Arrascaeta at the No. 10 role just behind Suarez and Cavani in the last two games.
But 21-year-old Facundo Torres came on late against Bolivia and played quite well; it was his cross that set up Cavani’s goal. It remains to be seen whether that performance was enough to win the youngster a place in the starting lineup against a tough Paraguay team.
Paraguay keep producing good results
Paraguay are in pole position to finish at least second place in the group thanks to their 2-0 win over Chile. Newcastle United star Miguel Almiron provided plentiful Copa America 2021 highlights as he set up their first goal and scored their second from the penalty spot.
Paraguay have picked up two wins from their first three games in this year’s Copa America as they continue to pick up some decent results under manager Eduardo Berizzo.
They have won three and drawn four of their last nine games, with their only two defeats coming against South American powerhouses Brazil in World Cup qualifying and Argentina in the Copa America.
Striker Angel Romero, who has been so impressive in the World Cup qualifiers with four goals, has continued his great goalscoring form at the Copa with a brace in their 3-1 win over Bolivia. Six of the 28-year-old’s eight career goals for his country have come within the last nine months.
Surprisingly, Paraguay lead all of Group A with five goals, while the star-studded sides of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay have three apiece. However, Paraguay are unlikely to be too adventurous against Uruguay, with a draw enough to seal a top-two spot.
History
Uruguay and Paraguay have been quite evenly matched in terms of their historical head-to-heads. Uruguay hold the slight edge in wins (32-25) with 18 draws.
La Celeste have dominated for the better part of the last two decades. They have lost just once in their last 11 meetings, with six wins and four draws.
They met in a World Cup qualifier just before the start of the Copa America and played out a 0-0 draw – the first goalless draw between the two sides since 1983.
Betting Tip
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Uruguay vs Paraguay | 1X2 Draw @ 3.05 |
| June 29, 08:00 (GMT+8) |
SBOTOP odds have Uruguay as 2.08 favourites, with Paraguay priced at 3.70 to score the upset win. Meanwhile, a draw is 3.05.
Despite their 2-0 win over Bolivia, Uruguay have looked quite underwhelming thus far in the tournament. Their overreliance on Suarez and Cavani to deliver the goals is concerning, especially since they are old and cannot play so well each and every game.
With both teams already through to the quarter-finals, there is a possibility neither side exerts too much energy to go all-out and win this match. That is why I am expecting this final group match to end in a draw.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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