Costa Rica vs Paraguay Prediction and Betting Tips | July 2nd 2024
Costa Rica will conclude their 2024 Copa America group stage campaign against Paraguay at the Q2 Stadium on Tuesday. Both teams have endured a winless run in the competition thus far. Costa Rica can still qualify for the knockout stage while Paraguay have been eliminated from the competition.
Los Ticos held Brazil to a goalless draw in their campaign opener but fell to a 3-0 loss against Colombia in their previous outing. They not only need a win in this match to ensure their place in the next round, but also hope that Brazil lose to Colombia, who have already qualified, in the concluding round of the group stage.
La Albirroja suffered a 2-1 loss to Colombia in their campaign opener and lost 4-1 to Brazil last time around. They have been eliminated from the group stage in the Copa America for the first time since the 2016 edition, which, coincidentally, was also held in the USA.
Costa Rica vs Paraguay Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have crossed paths nine times in all competitions since 1965. The head-to-head record is perfectly even with three wins for either side and three games ending in draws.
- They have met twice in the Copa America, with one win for La Albirroja and one meeting ending in a draw.
- Interestingly, they last met in the group stage of the 2016 Copa America, with the meeting ending in a goalless draw. It was the second consecutive goalless draw between the two teams, after a friendly in 2015.
- Just two of the nine meetings between them have produced over 2.5 goals.
- La Sele have been eliminated from the group stage in their last two appearances in the Copa America (2011 and 2016).
- If Costa Rica fail to score in this match, they will be eliminated from the competition without scoring for the first time.
Costa Rica vs Paraguay Prediction
Los Ticos have just one win in their last six games in the Copa America, failing to score in the other five outings. They are unbeaten in their last three games in this fixture, keeping two clean sheets, and will look to build on that form. Striker Manfred Ugalde is suspended for this crucial match due to yellow card accumulation.
La Albirroja have been eliminated from the group stage of the Copa America for just the third time since 1993. They have suffered defeats in their last four games in the competition, scoring in the last three, and will look to continue their goalscoring form. They will be without the services of Andrés Cubas, who was red-carded against Brazil.
Costa Rica are yet to open their goalscoring account in the competition while Paraguay have conceded six goals in two games, with only Bolivia and Jamaica (seven each) conceding more.
Both teams might struggle to find the back of the net in this match. Considering their recent history, a draw is likely to ensue.
Prediction: Costa Rica 1-1 Paraguay
Costa Rica vs Paraguay Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Miguel Almirón to score or assist any time - Yes