Fourteen times winner Uruguay is again on a Copa America final, this time facing Paraguay as an opponent. Paraguay reached this stage after 5 consecutive draws in regular time
The Copa America 2011 Final will be played on Sunday July 24th 2011 at 16:00 (19:00 GMT) and will be live streamed free by Bet365. Register today, to get the highest football odds, quality live streams, fast payouts and much more. Visit Bet365 Now
Uruguay
Uruguay became immediately the favorite of winning Copa America 2011, when Argentina and Brazil were knocked out of the tournament. Uruguay started the tournament clumsy, drawing the first two games against Chile and Peru, but came out with a victory over Mexico and took the second spot in Group C with 5 points. In the quarter-final stage of the tournament the team met their biggest challenge, the host Argentina. After a 1:1 in regular time, things went to penalties where Uruguay won with 5:4. In the semi-finals Uruguay met Peru and without any problems won with 2:0, to reach the final for a 15th time. Winning it will put them in front of Argentina who have as much as them (14 at the moment).
Paraguay
Paraguay has gotten to this stage of the tournament in a very interesting way. The team recorded 3 consecutive draws in the group stage, finishing 3rd and second best third team overall. In the quarter-final stage, they faced Brazil and after another draw in regular time, they won with penalties 2:0 (Brazil missed to score all 4 taken penalties). In the semi-final stage Paraguay met the team of Venezuela and again after a draw in regular time, the team won with penalties 5:4. Without a single win Paraguay managed to get to the final. The team has won Copa America only twice, once in 1953 and once in 1979. This is actually the farthest they have gotten since that title in ’79.
Prediction
Without trying to underestimate Paraguay’s capabilities, I can tell you that I see Uruguay as a winner here. As someone that has watched all of their games in this tournament I can assure you that they are at least with one class level above their opponent here. Not to mention their history of 14 previous titles, and waiting for the 15th which will make them the team who has won the most Copa America titles.
Four previous games between both teams in the recent 7-8 years:
28/03/2009 World Cup Qualification, CONMEBOL Uruguay vs. Paraguay 2:0
18/10/2007 World Cup Qualification, CONMEBOL Paraguay vs. Uruguay 1:0
17/11/2004 World Cup Qualification, CONMEBOL Uruguay vs. Paraguay 1:0
10/09/2003 World Cup Qualification, CONMEBOL Paraguay vs. Uruguay 4:1
The draw seems like a valuable bet here, as Paraguay hasn’t lost or won a game in regular time so far, priced at 3.00 (bet365).
My prediction here would be a victory for Uruguay in regular time.
The following sportsbooks offer free live streaming on this match: Bet365, Unibet and PaddyPower.
Recommended Bet:
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Uruguay to win @ 2.00 | Visit Bet365 Now |
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