Copa America: Paraguay vs Brazil - Preview, Prediction & Betting Picks

Brazil is expected to be comfortable favourites against a Paraguay team whose Copa America campaign is likely to end early. Brazil has plenty of attacking options available and will create chances having had 19 shots in their game against Costa Rica and created 1.71xG despite failing to score.

Paraguay will more than likely be forced to concede possession regularly throughout the game, with Brazil managing a 74% possession rate against Costa Rica. In comparison, Paraguay only managed 32% possession against a Colombia side considered weaker than Brazil. Paraguay will be expected to utilise the counter-attack with the likes of Miguel Almiron and Julio Enciso being able to manipulate the game at any given opportunity.

Brazil has won the last four meetings between the two teams and on paper has a considerably better team than Paraguay.

For this reason, we believe that with the options available Brazil will be 4-0 winners and eliminate Paraguay from Copa America.

The big game in Group D in the Copa America takes place at the Allegiant Stadium, as Paraguay take on one of the tournament favourites in Brazil. This match promises to be an intriguing clash as both teams are still searching for their first win in the tournament. Paraguay could be in jeopardy if they don’t get a result from this game.

• Date: 06/29/2024
• Kick-Off Time: 21:00 (ET)
• Location: Allegiant Stadium

Paraguay began their Copa America campaign with a 2-1 loss against Colombia, which left them routed to the bottom of the group. Paraguay’s first-half performance condemned them to defeat as two quickfire goals from Daniel Munoz and Jefferson Lerma before half-time left Paraguay two goals down. Brighton midfielder Julio Enciso pulled a goal back in a spirited second half for Paraguay.

Paraguay conceded a huge share of possession in their defeat to Colombia, although a huge positive is that they were not completely dominated in every aspect. Paraguay created three big chances against Colombia but only converted one chance through Julio Enciso.

Following their defeat, it leaves Paraguay with zero points from their opening game and a defeat against Brazil would eliminate Paraguay from the competition with a game to spare. If Paraguay were to beat Brazil, Paraguay would have a great chance of qualification heading into the final game against Costa Rica. Paraguay could effectively draw the game and keep their qualification hopes alive; however, those chances would be slim based on other results in the group.

Paraguay has competed at 38 Copa America tournaments and is the fourth most successful team in the tournament with two tournament wins – 1953 and 1979. Paraguay is not expected to win the tournament with SkyBet listing them 100/1.

Brazil are the bookmakers' second favourites @5/2 according to SkyBet. Brazil is ahead of Uruguay in the bookmakers but behind dearest rivals and World Champions Argentina. Following their opening game draw against Costa Rica, Brazil is now in a position where ideally, they need a win to strengthen their position in the group.

If Brazil were to beat Paraguay, they would be in second place or perhaps top of the group should Costa Rica get a result of any sort against Colombia. Brazil’s worst-case scenario would be if they fail to beat Paraguay, meaning they would have to beat a side in Colombia who are currently on a 24-match unbeaten run.

The opening game against Costa Rica should have resulted in an opening game win for Dorival Junior’s side. As mentioned, Brazil had 19 shots and they also created one big chance which could highlight the issue. Despite having the number of shots they did, one big chance created needs to be addressed heading into the second game. Brazil’s use of the ball will be of considerable advantage to their side as they placed 695 passes alone in their opening game.

Brazil is the third most successful team in the Copa America, having won the tournament nine times. Brazil is six tournament wins behind both Argentina and Uruguay respectively. The previous meeting between the two teams resulted in a comfortable victory for Brazil as they beat Paraguay 4-0.

The game will be shown live on Watch FOX, FS1 and FS2.

Paraguay Team News

Paraguay likes to deploy a 4-3-3 and rely on the pace in the wide flanks to bring them up the pitch. Andres Cubas and Gustavo Velazquez both received a yellow card against Colombia.

Brazil Team News

Because of the lack of pure striking options, Brazil tends to use Vinicius Jr in the false nine role. Eder Militao received a yellow card against Costa Rica.

Paraguay’s are in disappointing form over the previous five games, having only won once, whilst losing three. The remaining game ended in a draw. In general, their form reflects the odds of 100/1 listed, as they’ve also only won twice in their last ten fixtures, including friendly games.

Despite being bottom of their Copa America group, Paraguay has made a solid yet uninspiring start to their World Cup qualifying section. Paraguay is currently occupying the final qualification spot after six games played, although their form reads one win, two draws and three losses. Their last competitive win was a 1-0 win over Bolivia thanks to a goal from Antonio Sanabria.

The issue for Paraguay over the previous five games has been their scoring ability. In the last five games, Paraguay have only scored two goals which gives them an average of 0.4 goals scored per game. Defensively, they’ve conceded six goals in five games – averaging 1.2 goals conceded per game.

In contrast, Brazil is in much better form than their opponents heading into this game. Brazil have won two out of their last five games, having drawn the remaining three. This five-game unbeaten run has fallen at the right time for Brazil, having previously lost the games before this run.

Brazil suffered three consecutive defeats in their World Cup qualifying section at the hands of Uruguay, Colombia and their most recent defeat came against Argentina. Brazil’s last competitive victory was a 1-0 win over Peru last September. Brazil have now gone two Copa America games without a victory, having drawn against Costa Rica and lost the previous tournament’s final against Argentina.

In one of Brazil’s more recent games before his tournament, they secured a 1-0 victory over England at Wembley. In a tightly contested affair, youngster Endrick scored the only goal of the game for Brazil becoming the youngest player to ever score at Wembley.

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