Copa America 2024: Colombia x Paraguay, Match Preview, Odds, Team News and Predictions(24/06/2024)

Colombia plays Paraguay late Monday night to start Group D of the Copa America 2024.

Though not much is anticipated of the current Paraguay team, Néstor Lorenzo's team has been touted as going far in the United States.

These two South American countries should play a close and exciting first-group match.

Colombia x Paraguay Team News

Nestor Lorenzo, the head coach, has the good fortune to choose from a group of primarily fit talents who combine youthful skill with experience to challenge other teams.

With Yerry Mina and Carlos Cuesta in the centre and Daniel Munoz and Deiver Machado on each side, he is expected to begin with a 4-3-3 formation. James Rodriguez will spearhead creativity in the future, while Jefferson Lerma and Richard Rioswill will be tasked with balancing the middle. Jhon Arias and Luis Diaz will front the assault line, with Jhon Córdoba at number nine.

Having taken over as manager less than a year ago, Daniel Garnero had previously won eight league championships in Paraguay, a record. The Argentine strategist is well-versed in Colombian football, having worked with club players like Julio Enciso and Diego Gomez (who is out injured for this Copa) and national icons Oscar Cardozo and Roque Santa Cruz.

In their most recent friendly encounter, which they won, he used a 4-3-3 system and will want to maintain the successful combination. He should, nonetheless, make a few adjustments.

Head To Head And Previous Matches

Colombia will want to get their Copa America campaign off to a strong start by playing well against Paraguay at N.R.G. Stadium. Encouraged by an outstanding eight-game winning run in all competitions, Colombian fans enter this tournament with great expectations.

Of his 20 games as head coach, 15 have been victories, including the past eight straight. He helped the squad defeat Germany and Spain without giving up a goal. They also won a historic three points against Brazil, a football powerhouse. These will give their supporters great hope for their Group D debut.

Though winger Luis Diaz of Liverpool is one of those players who has the audience in his palm and can open up defences with his fast feet, James Rodriguez is still the engine of the Colombian team.

Contrarily, Paraguay will want to improve on their crucial 1-0 win against Panama in their most recent friendly encounter. It was their first victory in five games overall. They only scored one goal and let up three in six World Cup qualifying games, with two goalless draws mixed in.

The one goal Paraguay has scored in nine hours of World Cup qualifying matches highlights their difficulty in producing scoring opportunities.

Our Predictions

Under 2.5 goals @1.62 on Sky247.ng

From the past five head-to-head encounters between Colombia and Paraguay, less than 2.5 goals were scored. With how both teams have defended well in previous head-to-head encounters, that will not change in this one.

The past five head-to-head encounters between the sides produced only six goals. Hence, we may find great value in supporting Colombia in winning by fewer than 2.5 goals.

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