Copa America: Paraguay and Bolivia Prepare for Crucial Battle

Paraguay vs Bolivia

Paraguay and Bolivia will kick off their respective Copa America campaigns with a crucial battle against one another. The two teams are the favourites to finish last in the five-team Group A behind Leo Messi’s Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, so victory in this tournament opener will be key if they are to progress to the quarter-finals.

The Copa America 2021 betting odds have La Albirroja as significant favourites, but the Bolivians held them to a draw in their most recent matchup and also have one of the hottest strikers in the continent to lead them in this important match.

Talking Points

Paraguay lacking the winning touch

Paraguay will head into their Copa America opener on the back of some uneven form to start World Cup qualifying.

While they went undefeated in their first five games, they drew four of them – including winnable home games against Peru and Bolivia – and are winless in their last four matches after losing their most recent home game to Brazil, 0-2. On the other hand, they did hold both Argentina and Uruguay to draws away from home.

Head coach Eduardo Berizzo has a hard-working side that will give the top teams problems with their defensive capabilities. However, they can’t quite seem to put together complete performances against similar to inferior opposition.

Paraguay do not possess much attacking talent, although Angel Romero has come on strong of late. The 28-year-old striker has scored four of the team’s six goals during this qualifying campaign and will be ready to produce some Copa America 2021 highlights.

Newcastle United’s Miguel Almiron will offer creativity from midfield, but he is not much of a goal threat, with just two goals in 30 international caps.

Paraguay are still better-equipped to play a defensive style. They have conceded just seven goals through six qualifying games, tied for the third-best defensive record in CONMEBOL.

Star centre-back Fabian Balbuena, who is on his way out of West Ham United, did not start their most recent qualifier against Brazil but is likely to return to the line-up against Bolivia.

Bolivia in relatively blistering form

Copa America: Marcelo Martins is determined to carry Bolivia to a victory versus Paraguay — Bolivia’s Marcelo Martins in action against Peru’s Miguel Trauco during a World Cup qualifier

Bolivia may be down in eighth in World Cup qualifying, but they are coming off their best run of results in years after beating Venezuela 3-1 at home, then holding Chile to a 1-1 draw at Santiago.

Once again, Marcelo Martins has been in the middle of those fine results; he scored a brace against Venezuela and got the late equaliser against Chile.

The 33-year-old is the country’s all-time leading scorer with 25 goals in 83 caps, with six of those goals coming in this qualifying campaign (one ahead of Neymar).

Bolivia do not possess any household names; majority of their squad plays in the country’s domestic league and only four players play in Europe. Bolivia coach Cesar Farias will likely be without three undisclosed players who tested positive for COVID-19.

Although, Henry Vaca is making a name for himself and could earn a move abroad in the future. The 23-year-old is arguably the country’s most promising prospect, and he will be tasked with providing Martins with ample support from midfield.

Veteran Juan Carlos Arce as well as stalwarts Leonel Justiniano and Danny Bejarano will also patrol the midfield. Farias usually plays with a 4-5-1 formation, although he played with two up top against Paraguay in their recent qualifying clash and could play a similar formation again after picking up an away draw.

History

Paraguay have a terrific head-to-head record against Bolivia. They have a massive 37-15 edge in terms of wins, with 15 draws.

Although, things have been getting a bit more competitive in recent years. Bolivia have won four out of the last 12 meetings, with three draws, the most recent of which came last year.

Meanwhile, this will be the first meeting between the two countries in the Copa America this century. Their last matchup came in June 1999, which ended in a goalless draw.

Betting Tip

	Paraguay vs Bolivia	Bolivia Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.20
	June 15, 08:00 (GMT+8)

SBOTOP odds have Paraguay priced as massive 1.43 favourites to start the tournament with a win. Bolivia are a mere 7.20 with a draw at 4.20.

Despite their overwhelming odds, it’s tough to confidently predict a Paraguay win given their shaky form of late. Bolivia, on the other hand, have been playing better of late and have a capable goalscorer who can give Paraguay’s defence some problems.

That’s why I’m predicting a competitive battle between the two, one that ultimately ends in a draw – or possibly a Bolivia win.