The second Copa America semi-final in Mendoza on Wednesday evening sees the unlikely pairing of Paraguay and Venezuela going head-to-head for a place in the final on Sunday.
Pre-tournament predictions would have expected hosts Argentina and the mighty Brazil to be amongst the last-four countries looking to be crowned kings of South America.
But with new favourites Uruguay (4/5 Outright Winner) set to face Peru in Tuesday’s first semi-final, all eyes will then be on which of these unfancied teams will be on their way to Buenos Aires this weekend.
Venezuela (13/2 Outright Winner) have already made history by reaching the last-four stages for the first time in their history, while Paraguay (9/4) are in the strange position of making it this far without actually winning a game, having drawn all three group matches, before defeating Brazil on penalties at the weekend.
Therefore we are in for an intriguing encounter between two sides which went into the tournament expected to just make up the numbers in the presence of their more illustrious CONMEBOL members.
We only need to look back to last week for the two sides’ last head-to-head when they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the final Group B clash which ensured Venezuela qualified behind group winners Brazil, while Paraguay progressed as one of the best third-placed teams.
A repeat of that scoreline (50/1 Correct Score) would be a great advertisement for the Copa America, but it’s unlikely the game will be as open given that there is a lot more at stake on this occasion.
Venezuela were the only team to win in 90 minutes when they stunned Chile in the quarter-finals with Malaga striker Jose Salomon Rondon (5/2 Anytime Goalscorer) showing some good form and possibly the man coach Cesar Farias will look towards to fire La Vinotinto into the final.
Rondon scored his only goal of the tournament against Paraguay in the group game, while the side have shared the load around as Gabriel Cichero, Nicolas Fedor, Cesar Gonzalez, Grenddy Perozo and Oswaldo Vizcarrondo have also been on target.
Paraguay will be aiming to secure a first win of the Copa America in the match (20/21 To Win 90 Minutes), although their coach Gerado Martino will not mind if they reach the final on the back of another penalty shoot-out win.
The 1979 winners have not been this far since 1983 so a place in the final will mean just as much to La Albirroja as it will for Venezuela so they will be geared up for a huge match for their nation.
The likes of Manchester City hitman Roque Santa Cruz (6/1 First Goalscorer), Wigan defender Antolin Alcaraz, and Sunderland’s Christian Riveros are all known to Premier League fans and have all found the net for Paraguay in the tournament.
Nelson Valdes and Lucas Barrios have also been on target in the tournament as, like Venezuela, Paraguay have also got goals right through their team.
Paraguay also have veteran goalkeeper Justo Villar between the sticks still brimming with confidence following his man-of-the-match performance in ensuring a dominant Brazil could not find a way past him for the entire 120 minutes of their quarter-final clash and then even failed to convert a single penalty in the shoot-out.
If Villar is just as commanding against Venezuela then that will give the rest of his team a lift in their attempt to break down the opposition and I fancy Paraguay to just have the edge, but they might have to take the long route through once again.
Prediction: Draw 90 minutes @ 21/10
Value Bet: Rondon 1st Goal 1-1 Draw Scorecast @ 33/1.
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