With defending champions Brazil also in their group, the two teams will be looking to start the tournament with a win and thus virtually secure the place in the knockout stages. Following the good performance at the 2010 World Cup, Paraguay are considered favourites in this clash, but Ecuador certainly have enough quality to try and get something from this game.

Paraguay on the rise

After spending a lot of time in the shade behind the likes of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, Paraguay have recently emerged as one of the forces in South American football and they look determined to keep their newly found status. Led by experienced coach Gerardo Martino, La Albiroja thoroughly impressed during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, beating both Brazil and Argentina at home, thus proving they are able to match even the best national teams in the world. The further proof came at the final tournament in South Africa, where La Albiroja managed to reach the quarter-finals, coming very close to upsetting what would be the tournament winners Spain. Boasting pretty much the same squad that played in South Africa, Gerardo Martino’s side are definitely one of the outside favourites of Copa America and as such they should be able to win this game.

Gerardo Martino is likely to field a 4-3-3 formation with Roque Santa Cruz, Nelson Valdez and Lucas Barrios up front, which proves that La Albiroja are determined to start the tournament with a win.

Ecuador on the downtrend

Just opposite of Paraguay, Ecuador have been on the downtrend ever since they shone at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and La Tri arrive to this tournament in very low spirits. Former Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda took over following the unsuccessful 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, but he has failed to bring much needed improvement to the side, which led to speculations that he could be sacked after the Copa America tournament. Ecuador are really low on confidence after going eight games without a win, whereas they only made things worse with the defeat to Mexico Under-23 side in their final preparation game in Quito. Even with players like Antonio Valencia, Felipe Caicedo and Christian Noboa in the side, Ecuador don’t look capable of getting anything from this match.

Boss Reinaldo Rueda should field a rigid 4-4-2 formation with Caicedo and Benitez up front, whereas veteran Edison Mendez and Antonio Valencia will be in charge of the creative department.

Verdict

Paraguay have proven their quality at the 2010 World Cup and coming to the tournament full of confidence La Albiroja look likely to reach the final stages of Copa America. Ecuador, on the other hand, have been largely disappointing of late and I don’t see how they can get something from this match.

Our prediction: Home win

Odds: 1.91 (10/11)

Bookmaker: Stan James