Copa America: Paraguay jostle with Jamaica and Argentina face Uruguay
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It’s back to Group B in the 2015 Copa America, as Argentina take on pool leaders Uruguay in search of their first victory, while surprise package Paraguay prepare to face Caribbean guests Jamaica.
It’s still all to play for in Pool B, as La Albirroja seek to sneak ahead of the Argentines and into second spot, so Coral experts preview these two intriguing match-ups…
Paraguay v Jamaica
La Albirroja (odds-on at 8/11 to win with Coral) are in a strong position having snatched a point against Argentina, but must follow that tremendous result with a win here against group minnows and invitees Jamaica, who sit bottom.
Paraguayan poachers Lucas Barrios, nicknamed ‘the panther’, and Nelson Valdez were on target last time out and are 9/2 and 5/1 to net last and first respectively, while all-time top Paraguay scorer and ex-Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz will be keen to add to his tally of 32.
The former Blackburn Rovers forward features in an awesome match special with Coral, with superb odds of 7/2 for Santa Cruz to score and Paraguay to win (maximum stake £20) available, so don’t miss out.
As for underdogs Jamaica, the Caribbean country defended staunchly against Uruguay in an opener where they were expected to leak goals galore, so back the Reggae Boyz at 10/3 to keep a clean sheet, while former West Bromwich Albion and Derby County attacker Giles Barnes is the same price in the anytime market.
Argentina v Uruguay
La Albiceleste have work to do after failing to win their first game against Paraguay, inexplicably letting a two-goal lead slip, and cannot afford to drop anymore points here against Uruguay.
The good news for big-guns Argentina is that attacking superstars Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero have found their shooting boots already, having both struck against Paraguay, so back them in another superb match special at 7/2 both to score (max stake £20).
Gerardo Martino’s men lead the head-to-heads against rivals and current Copa America champions Uruguay, with 84 victories to 55, and are odds-on at 4/7 to triumph again.
Uruguay (11/2 to rack up their second win, or 13/5 to split the spoils) toiled against Jamaica but eventually found a way through, and pose plenty of threat with PSG predator Edinson Cavani (2/1 in the anytime market) and Bordeaux forward Diego Rolan (10/3) in the ranks.
With players of the calibre of Gonzalo Higuain (4/1 to fire home last) and Carlos Tevez (evens to be on target anytime) on the bench, however, Argentina should have more than enough firepower to push past La Celeste.
Coral’s top betting tip: after Aguero and Messi both got on the scoresheet in their first game, the prolific air both to net @ 7/2 looks fantastic value (max stake £20)
