Bolivia vs Paraguay
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Today’s secondary featured game is the World Cup Qualifier between Bolivia and Paraguay.
This game is being played in La Paz and the altitude naturally gives the hosts that strong home advantage that has seen bigger and better sides than Paraguay felled here in recent years. However, Bolivia’s problem has long been their ability to take advantage of their altitude advantage, if that makes sense. I mean, it’s one thing to be virtually guaranteed not to lose at home but it’s another to actually beat another side at home. Bolivia were surprisingly beaten by Chile in their last home game a few days ago, which wasn’t really good enough when you consider that Chile aren’t a great goalscoring side. Indeed, a red card for defender Luis Gutierrez made things worse for Bolivia as the Bahia defender now misses today’s game with Paraguay. Given that only Ronald Rivero is as capped as he is at the back in the current Bolivian squad, it’s quite possible that Bolivia will succumb to defeat again here. Moreno is their best striker by some distance but even he finds it hard to score goals in this side because of the lack of creativity. The absence of Joselito Vaca from this squad makes it even harder for the Bolivians to create chances, leaving them almost entirely dependant on winger Campos for something to happen so I think it’s fair to say that I don’t rate Bolivia’s chances here, despite their altitude advantage.
Paraguay aren’t like most South American nations as they’re much more tactics-orientated than their samba neighbours are. Paraguay don’t possess many flair players, which is the predominant reasoning behind their “defence first” approach. They’re physically stronger than most of their South American rivals and they’ve got some dynamic and lethal strikers. However, when it comes to making things happen, Paraguay tend to be at the shallow end of things. The bad news for Paraguay ahead of this game is the absence of some big players, however. Consider that a few years ago, Paraguay had the option of starting with Cabanas, Santa Cruz, and Cardozo. Cabanas has retired from international football since then for obvious reasons and neither of the other two are in this squad, which leaves the goalscoring duty to tenacious Haedo-Valdez. Creative Vera is outside of the current squad too, not to mention dos Santos of Cerro Porteno and Santana of Libertad Asuncion. They’ve got plenty of workhorses in their current squad but very little going forward so I find it hard to imagine Paraguay scoring here, let alone getting a result. Despite the absence of Veron, Bonet, and Caceres, however, they still have a solid defence so I think that’ll “do a job” on Bolivia tonight.
I’d not touch the 1×2 market in this game but barring some kind of miracle, I think taking under 2 goals is a bit of a steal at 11/10.
Verdict: Under 2 goals at 11/10. Why not bet on this game now at William Hill?
Saturday’s Picks
As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!
European Championship:
Netherlands vs Denmark (7) over 2.5 goals
Germany vs Portugal (6) 2-1
World Cup Qualifiers – Africa:
Malawi vs Nigeria (5) 0-0
Botswana vs South Africa (6) 1-0
Zambia vs Ghana (5) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Uganda vs Senegal (6) 0-0
Gabon vs Burkina Faso (5) 2-1
Congo vs Niger (6) 1-0
Namibia vs Kenya (5) 1-0
Equatorial Guinea vs Sierra Leone (6) 2-1
Cape Verde Islands vs Tunisia (6) 0-0
Morocco vs Ivory Coast (6) 1-1
World Cup Qualifiers – South America:
Bolivia vs Paraguay (6) 0-0
Venezuela vs Chile (5) 2-1
International Friendly:
Argentina vs Brazil (6) 1-0
UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifier:
Finland vs Ukraine (5) 1-1
Argentinian Primera Division:
Banfield vs Boca Juniors (7) 0-2
Newell’s Old Boys vs Independiente (7) 1-0
Union de Santa Fe vs San Martin de San Juan (6) 1-0
Velez Sarsfield vs Atletico Rafaela (8) 2-0
Brazilian Serie A:
Flamengo vs Coritiba (5) 2-2
Palmeiras vs Atletico Mineiro (4) 1-1
Estonian Meistriliiga:
Flora Tallinn vs Levadia Tallinn (7) 1-0
Tammeka vs Viljandi (4) 1-1
Sillamae Kalev vs Kuressaare (6) 1-0
Trans Narva vs Tallinna Kalev (6) 1-0
Nomme Kalju vs Flora Paide (8) -1.5 handicap
Faroese Meistaradeildin:
NSI Runavik vs KI Klaksvik (5) 1-1
Finnish Ykkonen:
RoPS Rovaniemi vs Jippo Joensuu (8)
Lithuanian A Lyga:
Dainava vs Tauras Taurage (5) 1-1
Swedish Superettan:
Jonkopings Sodra vs IFK Varnamo (7)
Degerfors vs Hammarby (4)
Umea vs Brage (5)
Halmstad vs Varberg (5)
Uruguayan Primera Division:
Club Nacional de Montevideo vs Defensor Sporting (5) 2-2, at least one red card in this game
Enjoy your free betting tips!