Paraguay vs Argentina Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

The CONMEBOL South America World Cup qualifiers are coming thick and fast and South American expert Nathan Joyes puts forward his Paraguay vs Argentina prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview. 

• Paraguay vs Argentina Tip 1: Argentina to win and under 3.5 goals
• Paraguay vs Argentina Tip 2: BTTS No & Under 2.5 goals
• Paraguay vs Argentina Tip 3: Nicolas Otamendi to score first

Paraguay vs Argentina Prediction 1: Argies back on top

Paraguay, World Cup Qualifiers, Thursday, November 14th, 23:30 (UK)

As expected, Argentina comfortably lead the way in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, sitting top of the tree three points ahead of Colombia.

Although drawing 1-1 with Venezuela in Maturin, Lionel Scaloni’s side returned to winning ways, thumping Bolivia 6-0, where Lionel Messi thoroughly enjoyed his evening scoring a hattrick. 

Paraguay have been extremely tough to beat on home soil, and no one has yet conquered there, which is why Argentina are priced fairly well – but one which is also hard to ignore.

The Copa America and World Champions don’t give up points easily, and rarely have they gone more than three matches on the road without a win. After a defeat Colombia and draw vs Venezuela, Argentina will be on a mission to return to winning ways.

Argentina and under 3.5 goals is a trusted favourite in my columns, but there’s more than enough evidence to suggest Scaloni’s side can find a winning goal and end Paraguay’s unbeaten run at home.

Narrow as it might be, this match would be a breeze on neutral territory, which is why the “banker” has returned to the table.

• Paraguay vs Argentina Prediction 1: Argentina to win and under 3.5 goals
• Best Odds: 2.05
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Paraguay vs Argentina Prediction 2: Close encounter anticipated

This fiddly little fixture for both teams isn’t likely to be full of goals, especially with the hosts only having scored four goals across their five matches. 

Argentina aren’t a nation known for shipping in goals, either, with only three conceded on the road – two of which came against Colombia in Barranquilla.

Since 2015, these two nations have crossed paths on no less than seven occasions, and all of those matches have produced less than 2.5 goals. Of those seven, both teams to score no has landed in five.

The reverse fixture back in November 2023 saw Argentina come out on top 1-0 in Buenos Aires, and having scored in the third minute, the hosts were unable to add to their tally, while the visitors sank deeper and deeper.

Two disciplined defences may well cancel each other out for large periods, and if that is to be the case, we might as well try our best to profit from a game not known for gifting us with goals.

• Paraguay vs Argentina Prediction 2: BTTS No & Under 2.5 goals
• Best Odds: 1.750
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Paraguay vs Argentina 3: Towering defender the key

Having scored a hattrick last time out, many punters will be looking at Lionel Messi to carry on scoring in Asuncion. However, it’s worth pointing out the Inter Miami forward hasn’t scored against Paraguay since 2019 – and that was from the penalty spot.

Paraguay haven’t given away a penalty at home during the qualifiers, and with that in mind, an unusual 26.0 shout enters my thought process.

Centre-back Nicolas Otamendi scored the winner in the reverse fixture, as well as the opener against Venezuela in the previous round.

With many nations choosing to be compact against Scaloni’s free-flowing side, they’ve had to find alternative ways in which to break teams down – and effectively score.

Otamendi has scored one in ten league appearances for Benfica this season, but his goal against Venezuela was his third in ten for Argentina during the qualifiers.

Only Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Messi have scored more than the defender, who has more goals to his name than any Brazilian player. Argentina will look to nick this, and Otamendi may be the answer once more.

• Paraguay vs Argentina Prediction 3: Nicolas Otamendi to score first
• Best Odds: 26.0
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 2/10

Paraguay vs Argentina Prediction odds via bet365 as at 16:00, November 11th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Paraguay vs Argentina Team News and Possible Lineups: Alvarez and Messi to lead the line

Paraguay possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Alonso, Alderete, Gomez, Caceres, Cubas, Gomez, Almiron, Enciso, Sosa, Pitta

Argentina possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Martinez, Romero, Otamendi, Molina, Gonzalez, Fernandez, Mac Allister, de Paul, Alvarez, Messi

Paraguay vs Argentina Match Stats

• The last seven head-to-heads between these two nations have produced under 2.5 goals.
• Nicolas Otamendi has scored three goals for Argentina during the qualifiers.
• Argentina beat Paraguay 1-0 – thanks to Otamendi – in Buenos Aires in the reverse fixture.

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