Paraguay can't finish in the top two positions in Group D following back-to-back defeats against Brazil and Colombia but Los Guaraníes will be looking to get their first points on the board in the 2024 Copa America when they take on Costa Rica on matchday three.
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Costa Rica vs Paraguay prediction: Tight and tense 90 minutes expected
Key Stats
- Both teams have scored in just one of Costa Rica's last six matches.
- Only two of Paraguay's last six outings have seen both teams score.
- Under 2.5 goals have been produced in four of the last five head-to-heads between these two countries.
Correct score prediction: Costa Rica 0-1 Paraguay
Costa Rica have failed to score in four of their last five games against Paraguay and the South Americans have scored exactly one goal in each of their last three fixtures.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Paraguay the favourite
- HOME: 3/1 (4.00) – 25%
- DRAW: 40/17 (3.35) – 29.8%
- AWAY: 21/20 (2.05) – 48.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Paraguay are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 48.8%, and we agree with the bookmakers on this selection.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Last five H2Hs: Paraguay lead
Los Guaraníes have picked up two wins, two draws and suffered one defeat in their last five games against Costa Rica.
Copa America 04/06/16
Costa Rica
Paraguay
International Match 27/03/15
Costa Rica
Paraguay
International Match 06/03/14
Costa Rica
Paraguay
Costa Rica preview: Yet to score at the 2024 Copa America
Costa Rica were looking to build upon their excellent draw against Brazil when they faced Colombia on matchday two.
Whatever luck they had during the goalless draw with Brazil seemed to have warn out by the time they faced James Rodriguez and co as Colombia strolled to a 3-0 victory, a result which leaves Costa Rica needing a win in their final group game against Paraguay.
Predicted lineup: Sequeira (GK), Calvo, Vargas, Quirós, Mitchell, Galo, Aguilera, Lassiter, Ugalde, Zamora & Madrigal
CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualifying 26/03/25
W
Belize
1
Costa Rica
6
CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualifying 22/03/25
W
Belize
0
Costa Rica
7
International Match 23/01/25
L
USA
3
Costa Rica
0
CONCACAF Nations League 19/11/24
D
Panama
2
Costa Rica
2
CONCACAF Nations League 15/11/24
L
Panama
1
Costa Rica
0
Paraguay preview: Lost opening two matches
Paraguay simply couldn't live with Brazil in the first half of their clash on matchday two and went in at the break three goals down.
Defender Omar Alderete scored his first goal for Paraguay early in the second 45 to make it 3-1 but Brazil converted a penalty in the 65th minute to restore their three-goal lead and nine minutes from time, Adrian Cubas was shown a straight red card and Paraguay finished the game with ten men.
Predicted lineup: Morínigo (GK), Balbuena, Velázquez, Alderete, Almirón, Caballero, Villasanti, Espinoza, Enciso, Bobadilla & Arce
South America - World Cup Qualifying 26/03/25
D
Colombia
2
Paraguay
2
South America - World Cup Qualifying 20/03/25
W
Chile
0
Paraguay
1
South America - World Cup Qualifying 19/11/24
D
Bolivia
2
Paraguay
2
South America - World Cup Qualifying 14/11/24
W
Argentina
1
Paraguay
2
South America - World Cup Qualifying 15/10/24
W
Venezuela
1
Paraguay
2
Player to watch – Miguel Almirón
Newcastle's Miguel Almiron is our pick for the ‘player to watch' against Costa Rica as we believe that the midfielder has the skill set to unlock the opposition's defence and help earn his country their first points of the 2024 Copa America.
Almiron has 56 caps and seven goals for his country but is yet to get off the mark in the USA. The 30-year-old midfielder has made over 200 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 30 goals, and is dangerous when he comes inside from wide positions, dribbling at defences.
A key player for Paraguay
We're backing Almiron to cause plenty of problems for the Costa Rica defence on matchday three, creating chances for his teammates and getting into good goalscoring positions.