Paraguay Slovakia Betting – Group F Wide Open After Opening Games
While the defending World Cup betting champion Azzuri are considered the class of Group F, an opening game draw against Paraguay in which the South Americans led for most of the contest has many reconsidering how the remaining matches will play out. All four teams have one point after both games ended in a draw, although both Slovakia and New Zealand still have a date with favorites Italy. More was expected from the former Czechoslovakia, appearing for the first time in a major international competition since the split. While the strategic approach that they relied on to get to the tournament had many predicting they were the most likely to join the Italians in the next round, anything less than a draw against Paraguay would leave the team facing sure elimination.
- June 20th – 7:30 AM ET
- Mangaung/ Bloemfontein – Free State Stadium
- Group F
Team Paraguay: Betting Preview
The performance of coach Gerardo Martino’s squad in their 1-1 draw against the Azzuri was nothing short of impressive, as Paraguay took the lead on a beautiful Antolin Alcaraz header conversion just inside the Italian 18-yard box from a set piece. If it wasn’t for a questionable piece of goaltending by Justo Villar that resulted in a Danielle De Rossi goal off a corner kick after the Paraguay netminder misjudged the range of the ball, the Albirroja could very well have pulled off the upset of the tournament so far. Now, after getting past their most difficult task of the group stage on paper, Paraguay has an excellent opportunity to make it to the round of 16.
Team Slovakia: Betting Preview
Despite this being their first trip to the online sports betting World Cup, more was expected of Slovakia than the 1-1 draw they earned in their opening contest. An injury time- header from Winston Reid was the difference in the game, as New Zealand was able to draw even in the final seconds of the game. Now, Man of the Match winner Robert Vittek and his squad will need to find a way to at minimum maintain position in the standings before their final match against the defending World Cup champion Italians.
Who To Bet On?
Slovakia controlled the pace against New Zealand for most of the game with the exception of the final push, which resulted in the tying goal and the eventual draw. Now, they will attempt to pull ahead against another team that blew a late lead, after Paraguay failed to hold on against Italy. The group remains wide open after each team earned a draw, but the only thing that kept Paraguay from the World Cup predictions win was a costly error by their goaltender. If they can play the same game they did against the Azzuri, it will be hard for Slovakia to keep pace with speedy Paraguay.
