Colombia vs Paraguay
After a dream start in the Copa America against a side many SBOBET followers believe are favourites to win the competition, followed by a narrow but just as important victory against battling minnows, Colombia meet Paraguay in the Fonte Nova Arena with their destiny very much in their own hands.
Carlos Queiroz’s men are already through to the quarter-finals and are guaranteed to top Group B so may rest key players here ahead of their last eight tie.
At the same time, could that play into Paraguay’s hands and ensure they qualify, while possibly putting under-pressure Argentina’s own progress into jeopardy?
Certainly, there’s plenty of Copa America news to discuss before this clash.
Talking Points
There was nothing between these two teams in World Cup qualifying for Russia 2018 with each side snatching narrow away victories via stoppage-time strikes.
In theory then, if Los Cafeteros allow their intensity to drop just a little, Paraguay could capitalise.
Yet would they really risk losing their early momentum with such action?
Queiroz must certainly be tempted to rotate his line-up in order to give players a rest ahead of the quarter-finals.
Amazingly, despite claiming six points from six so far, Los Cafeteros have actually only been ahead for a combined total of 23 minutes of normal time over the course of their two fixtures.
Fresh from a super season with Atalanta in Serie A, Duvan Zapata has scored both of his goals to date in the 86th minute against Argentina and Qatar, developing a reputation for providing late action – he only opened his senior international account in injury time versus Peru in the final warm-up friendly match before this tournament.
Team news-wise, Paraguay’s Richard Sanchez will be hoping to retain his place in Eduardo Berizzo’s side after finding the net on his first competitive international start in the 1-1 draw with Argentina last time out.
Goalkeeper David Ospina will miss the match for personal reasons.
The 30-year-old was given permission by team officials to return to Colombia to be with his ill father.
Queiroz will replace Ospina with either Camilo Vargas or Alvaro Montero.
History
Historically, there is not much between these nations.
Colombia have won 21 of their meetings with Paraguay victorious on 19 occasions and only six clashes ending as draws.
The recent record falls in favour of Colombia who have won five of the last six such meetings and recorded nine of the last twelve wins. Also, Paraguay was unable to keep a clean sheet in the last six encounters and conceded two or more goals in four of these games.
While Colombia have heled the upper hand in the modern day, they were actually defeated during their last meeting.
It was quite a game too in October 2017 in a World Cup qualifier.
Colombia could have been forgiven for thinking they had done enough when Radamel Falcao gave them an 80th minute lead in the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez, Barranquilla.
However, there was to be a late twist as Paraguay scored two minutes from time and two minutes into stoppage time to seal a famous win – Oscar Cardozo and Antonio Sanabria the marksmen.
Colombia still qualified for the tournament while Paraguay didn’t, helped by Colombia winning their earlier qualification meeting in 2016 by a solitary Edwin Cardona goal – that was also scored in the final minute.
These two countries also met in the last Copa America in 2016 in the group stage.
On that occasion, goals from Carlos Bacca and James Rodriguez inside the first half hour secured a 2-1 victory, with Victor Ayala on target for Paraguay.
Betting Tip
 |
 |
Colombia vs Paraguay | Colombia 1X2 @ 2.83 |
| June 24, 03:00(GMT+8) |
You would expect the Copa America betting odds to tip Colombia to make it three wins out of three.
But while they do to a degree, it’s far from straightforward – perhaps given the circumstances already outlined.
Colombia are priced 1X2 @ 2.75 yet Paraguay are 1X2 @ 2.61 with the draw – something that hasn’t happened in their most recent 11 meetings – available @ 3.00.
With Asian Handicap odds you can get prices of Colombia 0.00 @ 2.04 and -0.25 @ 2.38 with Paraguay 0.00 @ 1.88 and -0.25 @ 2.29.
If you are expecting a few goals in this one, there are a few options to consider.
Over 2.50 goals is priced @ 2.19, total goal 0-1 @ 2.75, total goal 2-3 @ 1.83, total goal 4-6 @ 4.10.
In many ways, this game has correct score of 1-1 written all over it and that would payout for you @ 5.00.
I was leaning towards La Albirroja winning or drawing this one but then I saw the odds and have got to plump for Colombia.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
|
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
