Paraguay vs Qatar Predictions

Can Paraguay return to form in the Copa America on Sunday? They step out at the famous Maracana as they kick off their campaign in Brazil, but will they be able to end an awful run in the South American championship? Meanwhile, Qatar have been invited as guests for the 2019 and 2020 Copa tournaments, while they’re hoping to follow up a brilliant year with more success in another major tournament. Can Qatar make their mark almost two years out from their World Cup?

Paraguay finished up in seventh place in the qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup, while there’s little to suggest they’ll do any better next time around. They head into the Copa America expected to have a difficult campaign, following their group stage exit back in 2016. Given that they’ve drawn the likes of Argentina and Colombia in their group – two of the favourites to bag success this summer – it’s hard to see much of a way through for Paraguay.

Even making it into third place will be tough for them, given that they’re up against Qatar. While the guests aren’t seen as a footballing power, they are coming into this tournament in a brilliant position. They won the Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, their first major success at this level. As they build towards the World Cup in 2022, can Qatar take another step forward by impressing at this tournament?

The majority of guests at the Copa America use it as a chance to try out some younger players, so most tend to struggle. Mexico have one of the strongest Copa America records thanks to their 10 appearances, but other than that, the guests don’t tend to stand out. However, few of them have come into the tournament on the back of another major success like Qatar have.

The Asian side have won seven of their last eight games, with their only defeat coming in a friendly clash with Brazil. They’ve been in excellent form, while Paraguay haven’t won any of their last seven matches in this competition. A 2-0 victory over Guatemala last time out also ended a seven-game winless run for Paraguay, so we struggle to agree that they’re favourites here. We’re backing Qatar to take something from this game, so we’re backing them on the Double Chance market.