ITALY VS PARAGUAY LATEST PREDICTIONS AND BETTING TIPS

We've still got a short period until the big kick-off in today's 2010 World Cup action. Italy is looking like one of the better outside contenders to win this tournament but you never really know what you're going to get from Italy in the group stage as they tend to be a side that comes into their own later on in the knockout phases. 
I think if there's any Group F challenger for Italy then it is likely to be Paraguay as I don't really find Slovakia or New Zealand to be particularly threatening. 
It does appear that the bookmakers don't really know what to make of this one, as Italy are only considered to be lukewarm favourites here. Popular bookmaker Stanjames.com has priced Italy at a lengthy 2.2 price to beat out Paraguay, who can be backed at 3.8. The draw is priced at 3.2 and that's not a bad price on a very plausible outcome. 

Paraguay Teamsheet: Villar (c), Morel Rodriguez, Da Silva, Torres, Alcaraz, Caceres, Vera, Caceres, Riveros Nunez, Valdez, Barrios
Italy Teamsheet: Buffon, Criscito, Chiellini, Cannavaro (c), Zambrotta, De Rossi, Pepe, Marchisio, Montolivo, Iaquinta, Gilardino

I have a feeling that this one could be a fairly slow opening 45 as both teams will be focused more on organizing themselves and maintaining their shape than pushing for blitzkrieg goalscoring opportunities. 

The correct score betting is showing the favoured result either 1-0 to Italy or a 1-1 draw with both selections available at 6.0 prices. I think you'll be getting outstanding prices if the match turns out to be a higher-scoring affair. You'll find a 3-2 result to Italy listed at 26.0 while a 3-2 result to Paraguay rewards at 51.0. 
If you think Italy are going to run away with this one, you can get them on the handicap at (-1.0) with an outstanding 4.0 price. Paraguay (+1.0) trades at 1.73. 
The over/under for the Italy vs Paraguay match has the under 2.5 goals selection priced at 1.5 while over 2.5 is listed at 2.63. Over 3.5 goals trades at 4.33 while over 4.5 pays out at a massive 10.0. 
The bookies favour a goal in the in the first half at a 1.5 price for the over 0.5 goals in the first 45 minutes selection. The under 0.5 trades at 2.5. 
Italy are odds-on at a 1.57 price to score first while Paraguay can be backed at 2.88. That's a quality price on Paraguay- they certainly have some talented striking options so I think all it takes is one could through-ball to put them up 1-0. 
Since Italy aren't fancied to win by a huge margin, you have to assume that if they win, it will likely be a shut-out victory. You can back Italy to win to nil at a 2.75 price. Paraguay to win to nil rewards at 5.5. 
Antonio Di Natale is the favoured first goalscorer in the match with a 6.5 price ahead of teammate Alberto Gilardino at 7.0. Vincenzo Iaquinta is listed at 7.5 and that's not a bad price if he's in the starting lineup. If Ricardo Montolivo gets the start he's one to keep your eye on at 26.0. 
If you're looking to back a scorecast selection for Italy vs Paraguay, try Oscar Cardozo/2-1 Paraguay at 89.0 or Antonio Di Natale/2-0 Italy at a 28.0 price.