Group F – Paraguay Analysis

Currently ranked 30th in the world soccer rankings, Paraguay has an opening match up against the favorite to win Group F, Italy. After posting their best numbers ever in qualifying matches, Paraguay shows signs of excellent team development after their disappointing third place finish in 2006′s initial group. This is not the first time that Paraguay has faced off against an Italian team. The last time was during the 1950 World Cup and ended with a 2-0 defeat during the first round.

Currently, Bet365.com is offering 4.50 odds for a Paraguay win over Italy. The tie odds at Bet365 are listed as 3.40 while the odds given for a Italian win are 1.83. The odds for a win by Paraguay during this first match are similar at Bodog with 4.30. In addition, the tie odds are close with an odds calculation of 3.30. Finally, the odds for an Italian victory are currently listed as -1.80 at Bodog.

For the tournament win, Ladbrokes currently lists Paraguay’s odds as 41.00 while the Italians are listed as 11.00. BetUS is offering the odds of a Paraguay loss as -1.85. On the other hand, a Paraguay victory is being given odds of 4.10. On BetUS, the odds for a first round tie between Paraguay and Italy are listed as 3.20.

Paraguay – Beyond Group F

Paraguay does not need to defeat Italy in order to move on to the second round but a victory could cement their bid to win the tournament. Most projections give Paraguay an easy victory over both New Zealand and Slovakia to give them an excellent chance to move on to the final 16. If Paraguay does move on past the group phase, they will need a series of upset victories to clinch the championship win.

Results of Paraguay’s Qualifying Stages:

10/13/07 – Peru – 0:0 – Paraguay
10/17/07 – Paraguay – 1:0 – Uruguay
11/17/07 – Paraguay – 5:1 – Ecuador
11/21/07 – Chile – 0:3 – Paraguay
06/15/08 – Paraguay – 2:0 – Brazil
06/18/08 – Bolivia – 4:2 – Paraguay
09/06/08 – Argentina – 1:1 – Paraguay
09/09/08 – Paraguay – 2:0 – Venezuela
10/11/08 – Columbia – 0:1 – Paraguay
10/15/08 – Paraguay – 2:0 – Venezuela
03/28/09 – Uruguay – 2:0 – Paraguay
04/01/09 – Ecuador – 1:1 – Paraguay
06/06/09 – Paraguay – 0:2 – Chile
06/10/09 – Brazil – 2:1 – Paraguay
09/05/09 – Paraguay – 1:0 – Bolivia
09/09/09 – Paraguay – 1:0 – Argentina
10/10/09 – Venezuela – 1:2 – Paraguay
10/14/09 – Paraguay – 0:2 – Columbia

The Paraguay Team

Two players on the Paraguay team will be crucial to the team’s success during the 2010 World Cup – Justo Villar and Salvador Cabanas. However, the team’s top goal scorer Roque Santa Cruz may also be important to a strong Paraguay team during the 2010 World Cup.

Paraguay World Cup History

2010′s World Cup will be Paraguay’s eighth appearance in the tournament. 2010 also marks the fourth World Cup appearance in a row for Paraguay. During 1998 and 2002, Paraguay proceeded to the round of 16. In 2006, Paraguay was eliminated after a win and two losses during the first round.

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