In spite of the fact that Costa Rica has had a ton of instability at the head coaching position over the course of the last few years, it's still managing to take some massive steps in the right direction. At home, Los Ticos believe they have a legitimate chance to win Copa America or at least get into the semifinals.
However, if any of that is going to come to fruition, there's really no choice but to get three points from Paraguay in their opening match of this tournament in Orlando.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Costa Rica +185
Paraguay +175
Draw +205
Over/Under 2 (under -115)
ODDS ANALYSIS
Even though Costa Rica feels like it should have a shot to get through the "Group of Death" in Group A, it's going to be tough seeing it actually play out that way. Los Ticos are going to be underdogs in all of their matches, though this first one is about as close as it legitimately gets.
Costa Rica is set at +185 on the moneyline while Paraguay is the +175 favored choice. As you would suspect, the Asian Handicap is incredibly tight with the Paraguayans getting the slight nod at PK -112.
The total is very low in this first match between these two at 2 and -115 vig on the under.
RECENT FORM
Costa Rica really finished 2015 in fine form. The club was disappointing in the Gold Cup, but it ultimately swept through four matches with the United States, Haiti, Panama and Nicaragua, and it's not in a position where it's going to get into the last stage of qualifying for the World Cup. Sure, a friendly against Venezuela was lost in February, but since that point, Los Ticos drew Jamaica on the road, then turned around and beat the Reggae Boyz at home four days later, and they won their last prep match for this tournament over Venezuela 2-1 in San Jose.
Los Guaranies have had it rough of late because of the power of the South American teams. Paraguay has dropped five of its last 10 matches overall and has just an away win against Venezuela and a home victory with Bolivia to its credit in that span. The most impressive result was a 2-2 draw at home against Brazil in World Cup qualifying back in March, though even that match left a bitter taste in the mouths of Paraguayans after their team blew a 2-0 lead with just 11 minutes left until time.
LIVE BETTING
Even though Costa Rica plays with three men at the front headed by Carlos Ruiz and Joel Campbell, this isn't the most forward-thinking team in the world. Often times, those three are playing pretty far back with Ruiz only coming forward with regularity, and the formation looks more like a 4-3-2-1 than anything else.
Paraguay's defense has had problems over the years for sure. Paulo da Silva is an excellent captain and a calming force in the middle of that defense, but the rest of his mates around him are nothing to write home about. There aren't a lot of Caps to be had for the rest of the back line, and Miguel Samudio, Ivan Piris and whomever the fourth will be at the back will certainly have their work cut out for them.
QUICK PICK
For our money, this match feels like it could go 90 without a goal. Costa Rica played very tight defense in the Gold Cup, allowing just three goals in four matches in normal time before bowing out to an extra time goal against Mexico in the quarterfinals. We just don't see it changing its tactics for this match.
Our only concern is that neither of these teams should be satisfied with merely a point. Both have to deal with Colombia and the United States after this, and a point for both teams will likely be the end for both as well.
Copa America Odds: Costa Rica 0, Paraguay 0
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The fixture between Costa Rica and Paraguay will take place at 5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Camping World Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on FOX.
