Costa Rica need a miracle if they are to advance to the quarterfinals of the Copa America, and the first thing they must do is beat the already eliminated Paraguay on Tuesday, July 2.
Los Ticos held Brazil to a goalless draw in their opening match in the United States, but a 3-0 loss to Colombia on Matchday 2 means their fate is out of their hands. They need Brazil to lose to Colombia in the other game in this group today if they are to have any chance of progressing to the knockout phase.
And yet, Paraguay are the favorites with the bookmakers to win this Group D fixture. BetMGM prices them at -105 to win the game, with Costa Rica at +320. A draw is priced at +225.
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The Sporting News has the latest predictions and best bits for this match below.
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Paraguay vs. Costa Rica prediction, odds
Moneyline lean: Paraguay (-105)Score prediction: Paraguay 2-1 Costa Rica
Costa Rica performed admirably in defense to hold Brazil to a scoreless draw, but their loss to Colombia was a better indicator of their shortcomings.
Paraguay lost their opening two games of the tournament but, to their credit, they showed plenty of attacking endeavor and could easily have earned points from those matches had things fallen differently on the day. They are more than capable of finishing their campaign in the USA with a win.
BetMGM
(USA)Paraguay win-105Draw+225Costa Rica win+320Both teams
to scoreY: +100
N: -145Over / Under
2.5 goalsO: +125
U: -175Paraguay
-0.5 goals-115Costa Rica
+0.5 goals-120
Paraguay vs. Costa Rica match facts
Date: Tuesday, July 2, 2024Kickoff time: 9 p.m. local (3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT)Location: Q2 Stadium (Austin, Texas)Referee: Yael Falcon (ARG)Last meeting: Costa Rica 0-0 Paraguay (June 4, 2016 | Copa America)
Paraguay vs. Costa Rica best bet
Pick: Both teams to scoreOdds: +100 (BetMGM)
Costa Rica face Paraguay still with a minimal hope of advancing to the quarterfinals. To do this, they need a couple of miraculous results: they need to win this match by a one-sided scoreline and hope Brazil lose to Colombia, also by a sizeable goal difference.
This is certainly unlikely to happen, but it should at least lead to Los Ticos showing a little more attacking ambition than in previous games. With nothing to lose, they should go out seeking victory, which points to an open match with chances for both sides.
Paraguay scored in their previous two games of this Copa, while Costa Rica are still looking for their first goal of the tournament. That means the odds for both teams to score are reasonably favorable.
Paraguay vs. Costa Rica prop betPick: Paraguay to score first and win the gameOdds: +110 (BetMGM)
Paraguay have shown huge shortcomings in recent times, but if there’s one thing they have, it’s fast players to counter-attack against a Costa Rica side who must go out and chase a win.
There’s a good chance that they dominate match, despite being eliminated, given they have a generally higher level than their opponents.