Afrigather 
Verdict: Argentina win
Greatest Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Getting their World Cup qualifying marketing campaign again underway late on Thursday evening, Argentina will journey to Paraguay.
Paraguay
Beginning with the hosts, whereas Paraguay may need endeared a public Copa America nightmare over the summer season as they misplaced every of their three Group D appearances, Los Guaranies do seem to have discovered a welcomed increase over the previous couple of months. Final seen on October sixteenth claiming a 2-1 victory at residence towards Venezuela, Gustavo Alfaro’s males mark their return on Thursday evening battling it out within the top-six. Now unbeaten in every of their earlier 4 World Cup qualifying appearances, Paraguay additionally collected what was a well-known scalp again in September. Amassing a sensational 1-0 win towards South American giants Brazil, the midweek hosts might be desperately in search of one other gritty efficiency right here. Nevertheless, hit with a 1-0 defeat once they final met Argentina for his or her reverse showdown 13 months in the past, they’ve mustered only a sole win from any of their earlier 12 straight matchups towards the reigning world champions.
Workforce Information
Showing to have lately cemented his spot as Paraguay’s primary, veteran goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez will begin between the sticks right here. Whereas Newcastle star Miguel Almorin might be set for a January transfer away from St. James’ Park, the 30-year-old will earn a 63rd worldwide cap on Thursday evening.
Whereas Julio Encisco may need made only a single Premier League begin because the center of September, the Brighton teen will play a number one position. Getafe’s Omar Alderete will associate skipper Gustavo Gomez on the coronary heart of Paraguay’s defence.
Argentina
As for the guests, making actual historical past out in Qatar within the winer of 2022 as they received their fingers on a primary world crown since 1986, Argentina have solely continued on a sensational purple patch. Final seen on October sixteenth stormed their method to a 6-0 romp towards Bolivia, the South American giants mark their return on Thursday evening holding a three-point buffer over the chasing pack. Topped Copa America champions over the summer season as they secured a nail-biting 1-0 victory towards Colombia, Lionel Scaloni’s males might be seeking to lay down one other qualifying marker right here. In truth, cementing their spot as probably the most dominant worldwide squad from throughout the globe, Argentina have suffered only a pair of defeats over the previous two years. Touchdown that 1-0 win once they welcomed Paraguay to Buenos Aires 13 months in the past, the one-time West Ham defender might be calling on a repeat final result on Thursday evening.
Workforce Information
Signing off October’s worldwide break with a hat-trick towards Bolivia, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi will as soon as once more lead out Argentina on Thursday evening. Likewise, regardless of serving a two-match suspension final month, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will return between the sticks in midweek.
Enjoying a vital position in Liverpool’s Premier League title cost this season, former Brighton star Alexis Mac Allister will begin in the midst of the park. Manchester United ace Alejandro Garnacho has been recalled to Scaroni’s squad.
Key Elements to Think about
- When Paraguay and Argentina met for his or her reverse qualifying showdown in October 2023, the reigning world champions picked up a 1-0 victory on residence soil.
- Argentina have misplaced simply certainly one of their earlier 12 conferences towards Paraguay throughout all competitions.
- Paraguay are unbeaten in all of their earlier 4 World Cup qualifying appearances.
- Argentina have suffered only a pair of defeats throughout any competitors over the previous two years.
- All the final seven consecutive conferences between Paraguay and Argentina have completed with beneath 2.5 objectives.
Conclusion
Whereas Paraguay may need turned a much-welcomed nook over the previous couple of months, Thursday’s hosts ought to be bracing themselves for a monumental problem right here. Hit with a 1-0 loss once they met the reigning world champions for his or her reverse qualifying showdown final 12 months, Argentina might be seeking to widen their buffer on the prime of the desk. Shedding simply certainly one of their earlier 12 straight conferences towards Paraguay throughout all competitions, we’re backing an away win for the South American icons late on Thursday evening.
Verdict: Argentina win
Greatest Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
