Uruguay – Paraguay : Preview & Prediction
Uruguay – the smallest country in CONMEBOL in terms of population (3.5 M) and winner of the first World Cup – confirmed its passage to the knockout phase for the eighth time in nine Copa América tournaments with a 2-1 win. 0 against Bolivia in his last presentation, and with that victory he managed to register his first victory in six official matches (E2, P3). However, with his results gradually improving in this competition (W1, E1, P1), the fifteen-time Copa América champion will seek his first consecutive victories in the group stage of this tournament since 1995.
The Uruguayan team must avoid defeat in this match which will be played at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos so as not to face Brazil in this same venue in the quarterfinals. Being favorites in this match, Uruguay is unbeaten in eight consecutive games between the two countries since 2007 (G4, E4). A ninth undefeated match in that streak could be accompanied by an unbeaten goal for Uruguay, as seven of their last nine games that ended their stay in the Copa América group stage saw at least one team fail to score.
Despite not being a favorite, Paraguay will be confident after achieving two victories in its first three games in this tournament for the first time since 20017. Both triumphs saw it have a margin of two or more goals over its rival, which has contrasted enormously with their performance before the start of the competition, where Paraguay had registered only two such triumphs in their previous 41 official commitments.
However, if they want to establish themselves at the top of their group for the first time since 2004, Paraguay will have to improve on the result achieved by Argentina in their clash against Bolivia in Cuiabá. Although this seems unlikely, a good defensive approach from the start could help, considering that Paraguay have conceded the first goal of the game within the first 15 minutes in three of their last four games.
Players to watch: Uruguay has won each of the last seven official matches in which Edinson Cavani saw an opponent’s goal, and scored four (50%) of his eight goals in that stretch during the first or last ten minutes of play. Meanwhile, Miguel Almirón has scored all 13 of his official goals for both his club and his country since 2020 in the first 60 minutes.
Highlight: Four of the last six meetings between the two countries have ended in a draw after a parity during the break.
Uruguay – Paraguay : Betting Tips
Uruguay – Win Odds: 1.85
Both teams to score / YES – Odds: 1.70
Over 2.5 Goals – Odds: 1.70
