Copa America Preview

                                                Paraguay v Venezuela
                                                   Copa America - Semi finals
                                                          Date: 21/07/2011
                                                              Time: 01:45


Dear Jim,

Please can you fix it for me to get one Copa America match to go as planned...........


Paraguay


So, Paraguay through to the semi finals and still to actually win a game in 90 mins! To be fair though they could so easily have qualified out of the group stages as winners but for Brazil's Fred snatching a last minute 2-2 draw and their opponents here somehow scoring two very late goals when a comfortable win was virtually secured. In the quarter final against Brazil they really did have their keeper to thank, who put in a true captains performance to take the game into penalties. It's worth noting that Paraguay didn't have a single shot on target the whole 120mins in that game though. As it happens Villar wasn't really required to do much in the shootout as Brazil and the dodgy penalty spot produced yet another Copa shocker.

I think Paraguay will fancy their chances against Venezuela, as they know from the group meeting that they are the better team. It will be interesting to see if they go again with Valdez and Barrios up front as I'm not sure of Santa Cruz's fitness. Alcaraz is suspended so I expect Piris to get in the starting XI  


Possible Lineup: Villar, Piris, Da Silva, Veron, Torres, Barreto, Ortigoza, Riveros, Estigarribia, Valdez, Barrios

Venezuela

I have said from the start of the tournament that Venezuela are a poor side but yet here they are in the semi finals with Brazil, Argentina and Chile nowhere to be seen. This is already the biggest achievement in their history as it is the first time they have got to the semi final of the Copa America. I think they have done this with tough gritty performances and snatching the goals at vital moments in matches. If they are to make it to the final they are going to have to again defend well and look to play on the counter attack. I've watched Malaga's striker Rondon last season and he has already proven he is capable of taking his limited chances when they come. They will, however, be without one of their best players as Rincon saw red against Chile and will have to sit this one out.

Possible lineup : Vega, Rosales, Perozo, Vizcarrondo, Cichero, Lucena, Gonzalez, Arango, Miku, Meza, Rondon




HEAD TO HEAD

13/07/2011 Paraguay 3-3 Venezuela - Copa America

PREDICTION

As mentioned above I don't think the results have really given Paraguay the credit they deserve and taking into consideration the group game I really cant see anything else than a comfortable win for Paraguay as I believe they are the superior team and have the firepower required upfront.

THE PICK

Paraguay 2-0 Venezuela

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE

Paraguay 50% Venezuela 20% Draw 30%

THE BET

I'm taking Paraguay to finally get the job done in 90mins @circa 2.1 (1 unit  stake)