Paraguay Looking For A Win Over Qatar In Copa America Opener

The Copa America is synonymous with supremacy in international soccer but realistically speaking both of these teams are clearly a cut below the serious contenders in the 2019 tournament. Paraguay is likely a ‘middle of the field’ team but they’ve got a good chance to win their opening game as they take on Qatar who has been installed as the biggest longshot in the field.

The soccer betting odds for the Copa America have listed six teams as more likely to win the tournament than Paraguay. Brazil is a strong +110 followed by Argentina (+350), Uruguay (+600), Columbia (+800), Chile (+1000) and Peru (+2000). Paraguay is up next priced at +2200 but they might as well be Manchester City given their qualitative superiority over a hard trying Qatar team that simply doesn’t have the talent level of their contemporaries in this event. Qatar is +8000 to win the Copa America and considering Japan is the second longest shot at +5000 their weaker talent pool should be obvious.

Paraguay has gone through some changes in the past few months. Eduardo Berizzo is the new manager of the team and he’s gone to a younger lineup than in the past. One of his best players is Tito Villalba who plays for the Atlanta United in the MLS. Fabian Balbuena–he plays for West Ham United in the English Premier League–and captain Bruno Valdez compose a solid defensive nucleus. They’ve got some talent in the lineup and they’ve won this event before but it’s been over 40 years–Paraguay won in 1953 and 1979.

Qatar won the Asian Cup to earn a spot in this tournament but it’s tough to see them winning a game and they might not even score a goal in the group stage. Brazil had no problem with them in a pre tournament friendly winning 2-0 with a very lackluster effort. Paraguay knows that they’ll have a tough time finishing higher than third in Group B and might need to pick up a point against Argentina or Columbia to advance. They give themselves the best shot by not only winning this game but by doing so in impressive fashion. With the top third place teams advancing to the knockout stage they’ll want to do what they can here to improve their goal differential which suggests a decisive win in a game that sees some goals scored.

BET PARAGUAY -1/2, -1 -110 OVER QATAR
BET PARAGUAY/QATAR OVER 2 -114

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