Deportivo Capiata vs Atletico Paranaense Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

If the second leg here in Paraguay is anything like the first leg contested last week, spectators are in for a treat. That game ended in a remarkable 3-3 draw.  Paranaense held the lead three times but were pegged back by the visiting Capiata, who played with 10 men for the last half hour following the dismissal of Jorge Paredes. Overall Paranaense were the better side, dominating possession (65% to 35%) and doing most of the games attacking, against a Capaita side that were content to sit deep and play on the counter. All things considered, the result will certainly feel a big opportunity missed for the Brazilians, having lead in the 85th minute but conceding in the 89th.

The hosts, Capiata, were only founded in 2008 but will be looking to take their continuing upwards momentum with them all the way to the group stages on home soil. They looked to be heading out of the competition two weeks ago, but a heroic performance away in Peru against Universitario, saw them overturn a two goal deficit, winning 3-0. Prior to that they eliminated Venezuelan outfit Deportivo Tachira, edging the home leg and drawing in San Cristobal.

Capiata have had a mixed start on the domestic front, having won one, drawn one and lost one. However, it is hard to read too much into this though considering they have been resting players, prioritising the Copa. Said rotation was evident once more over the weekend as an alternative XI picked up a point away at Sol de America, in a 1-1 draw.

One time finalists Paranaense are back in the competition following a 2 year exile.  In that participation they were eliminated from the group stage, despite winning 3 of their 6 games. They scraped past Colombians Millonarios on penalties to get this far and now will have eyes firmly set on the group stage.

Like their opponents, Paranaense have been giving little importance to domestic action. They lie 10th out of 12th in the local State League, drawing twice and losing once. They were scheduled to play rivals Coritiba over the weekend, but the game was actually abandoned. Both sides took to the pitch, only to refuse to play in protest over the right, or lack of, to broadcast the game on their media channels.

With both camps fresh and rested, the two sides are ready to go toe to toe once more. Capiata are the favourites on home soil, given Paranaense wretched away record. In last season’s Brazilian top flight 14 of their 15 defeats came on away soil.

However, while they should be respected, Capiata are hardly one of the continents’ powerhouses and given a resilient showing in Colombia and Capaita’s home struggles against a weaker side in Universitario, Paranaense will be equally as confident in progress.

It’s difficult to separate the two sides. What we do know is that Paranaense will have to score at some point, given the hosts’ three away goals last week. They will not be able to sit deep from the off as they did against Millonarios and this should create an open game. Capiata also know that sitting back and hoping for 0-0 would be a dangerous strategy. On home soil they should look to play on the front foot. We saw last week what a threat they can be on the break and from set piece situations. Equally we saw how Paranaense can build pressure and attack with intensity, which they will certainly look to do at some point in the game. Overall we see a close contest, with both teams scoring, as well as a score prediction of 1-1, enough to see Capiata scrape through to the group phase.