Copa America 2011
2011-07-17 - Brazil vs Paraguay
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : Copa America 2011
Sunday 17 July 2011 - Kickoff 4pm (Local Time)
This game is live on TV
Preview
The quirks of the Copa America means these two teams meet again just 8 days after playing in Group B, but this time there is much more on the line as a place in the Semi Finals is up for grabs.
Brazil and Paraguay both qualified out of the group, Brazil as the winners and Paraguay as the 2nd of the best third placed teams. They had an extremely entertaining 2-2 draw the first time they played, as Fred scored a late equaliser for Brazil.
The Samba Boys drew with Venezuela in their first game, but needed to beat Ecuador to secure their place in the Quarter Finals. Group B has been the place to be for entertainment as Brazil then thumped Ecuador 4-2 to move through.
Paraguay looked like they were going to secure top spot in the Group when they were 3-1 up against Venezuela with less than 2 minutes to play. That would have meant they would have played Venezuela again in this stage, but 2 late goals conceded meant Paraguay settled for 3rd spot.
It looks like Brazil will be starting with the same team that beat Ecuador in the last game. The only doubt at the moment is Thiago Silva as the defender is struggling with an injury. If Silva fails to pass fit, David Luiz of Chelsea will be in line to start.
Paraguay also have a problem to deal with after Roque Santa Cruz was forced to come off in the first half of the game with Venezuela. It is not clear whether that was a substitution as a precaution or whether Santa Cruz is out for this game.
Head to Head
The 2-2 draw between the teams last week means 4 of the last 5 games have now seen at least 3 goals scored when these nations meet.
Both teams have won 2 games in the last 5 meetings, with last week being the only draw.
Prediction
These two teams have been involved in the best 3 games of the competition as both have not been at their best defensively while going forward with some real threat.
Both teams are familiar with one another and I have no doubt that both feel they can win this game and move on to the Semi Finals. After Argentina's exit last night, both are also likely to feel they will be the favourites to win this tournament if they can get through this tie.
I expect we could see a few goals again between the teams tonight as neither will feel comfortable in trying to 'park the bus'. An early goal could also lead to the floodgates open as the potential for counter attacking will develop, something both teams can take advantage of.
The Pick :
Brazil 3-2 Paraguay
