Paraguay will take Brazil to the limit once again in Argentina
Published:The exit of hosts Argentina and the only team besides Brazil to have won the tournament in the last 15 years, Colombia, will ensure that all four sides involved in Sunday’s quarter-finals will be increasingly optimistic of taking the trophy…
Brazil v Paraguay
Given the number of shocks that have already occurred in this year’s Copa America and the fact that Brazil and Paraguay have proven inseparable in the 21st century, Brazil’s status as convincing favourites here at 8/13 is a slight surprise.
Their last ten meetings have produced four wins apiece and two draws, the most recent a 2-2 spoil-sharer when the sides met in the group stage in which Brazil were saved by an 89th minute Fred equaliser.
As Paraguay have drawn every encounter so far and both of Saturday’s quarter-finals went to extra time, another draw appeals at 5/2. Brazil are 7/1 to deliver in extra-time and 11/1 to prevail on penalties.
Chile v Venezuela
Half of the 20 matches to have taken place so far in the competition have finished level and these are another two countries that have drawn their last two collisions, suggesting that it could be a shrewd bet again at 5/2.
Venezuela have never been further than this before though, their only previous knockout round appearance coming on home soil three years ago, and they are winless in six clashes with Chile, who can be backed at 4/6.
La Roja have conceded just once in their last two-and-a-half games and are 6/5 to keep quiet a Venezuela attack that were in top form last time out against Paraguay, with Alexis Sanchez 9/2 to score first.
