Brazil v Paraguay Copa America Football Betting Preview, Odds & Tips – 09.07.11

Brazil, who are the defending Copa America champions won’t be too happy with their opening match, but they do have good reason to gripe. Brazil were denied a clear penalty in the first half of the match, as Robinho’s goal bound shot hit the arm of Venezuela’s defender Oswaldo Vizcarrondo. However, the big controversial in the moment was waved away by the referee to the dismay of the Brazilians and the shock of pretty much everyone in the stadium. If the defender’s arm had not been in the way, Brazil would have scored. It is as simple as that. But then again, when you are talking about Brazil v Venezuela, then you don’t expect the match to be hinging on a penalty shout to see a Brazil win. There are comparisons to be drawn between the two tournament favourites, Brazil and Argentina in the 2011 Copa America. Both have new managers, both sides don’t really know what their best line up is, and both are guilty of not getting the best out of their players tactically. But while Argentina looked a little lost up front, Brazil did carve out plenty enough chances in the first half to have put the match beyond their opponents. However, they just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net. Chances were wasted, Brazil were guilty of that, but they did control the ball in the first half and make chances. Brazil did completely control the first half of the match, as expected, and Venezuela had to whether a Brazilian storm. But to their credit, Venezuela bent but they did not break. Things were a little different in the second half though, as Venezuela came out with a bit more vim and vigour.

After surviving the first half, Venezuela started having more of a go at Brazil, and there were one or two chances created by them. But the second half sort of petered out, with neither side really being able to make enough clear cut chances to build up a head of steam. Venezuela will naturally be the happier of the two sides, as Brazil failed their first test. This is a match which they should have won. It was always going to be a battle, because the underdogs, Venezuela were always going to make life as difficult for Brazil as possible. All it took was enough players in the middle of the park to stop Brazil from being as fluent as they would have liked to have been. Again, comparisons can be made with Argentina’s problems, of Brazil being a team of stars as opposed to a star team. There is an enviable line up which Brazil can field, with the likes of Pato, Chelsea target Neymar and Robinho on the pitch. However, the ball just was not getting to them well enough from support behind them, so they had to try and carve chances out for themselves and it wasn’t enough. There was not enough grip in midfield, and new Brazil coach Mano Menezes will have been particularly dismayed at how Brazil simply faded from the game as an attacking force in the second half. It was a sorry sight really for those who had turned up expecting a bit of a Brazilian exhibition match against the weakest side in the tournament. Now Brazil have to pick up the pieces and punters have to move on to Brazil v Paraguay 2011 Copa America betting.

Brazil v Paraguay betting looks interesting. Naturally Brazil will start as favourites here, but Paraguay are not going to be a push over either. Paraguay were stopped in their tracks in their opening match, as 39 year old Ecuador keeper Marcelo Elizaga turned away everything that was thrown at him. There was more exciting football played in this match, than in both the Brazil and Argentina matches put together. Paraguay had the better of things for most of the match, as expected and kept pushing forward in search of a winner. But chance after chance came and was wasted or spurned by the veteran Ecuadorian goalkeeper. It was a brilliant display and you probably wont’ see a better one throughout the whole tournament. Paraguay, on the basis of this match, even though they didn’t score, look quite a handful. They have some very good creativity in the side, and look pretty brave, ready to push forward at every chance. Of course, that is something which could back fire badly when playing Brazil. But the Paraguay side will remember that famous win in Asuncion over Brazil in the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers in the South American Zone, when they ran out 2-0 winners, and gave a good account of themselves in Brazil, losing 2-1 after being tied 1-1 at half time. Brazil v Paraguay 2011 Copa America football betting should really produce some of the best football of the tournament so far, a good open match. Group B, where this takes place is all square after the opening matches were both drawn, so there is everything to play for still, with no-one at an advantage yet.

Brazil v Paraguay 2011 Copa America Betting

Brazil to win: 4/7 at Victor Chandler
Draw: 29/10 at Bwin
Paraguay to win: 11/2 at Unibet

Brazil v Paraguay 2011 Copa America Betting Tip: Really looking forward to this one, simply because Paraguay look to be a pretty handy side. Of course, this match may hinge on how brave they are prepared to be against Brazil, or whether they will try what most teams do and just block the midfield to stop Brazil playing. They two World Cup qualifying matches between these sides in 2010 were great to watch and we are hoping for more drama and excitement. As for picking a winner, well you have to look at Brazil first. They may get more space to exploit, but they did not play too well as a team in their first match. So while there is potential for a draw here, we are just going to tip things in favour of over 2.5 goals for 9/10 at Bet365.

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