Argentina VS Paraguay Match Prediction

In 16 meetings, Argentina have six wins and seven draws against Paraguay, with just three losses.

Here's a look at the last five results:

Oct 10, 2016: Argentina 0-1 Paraguay (WCQ)
Oct 13, 2015: Paraguay 0-0 Argentina (WCQ)
Jun 30, 2015: Argentina 6-1 Paraguay (Copa America)
Jun 13, 2015: Argentina 2-2 Paraguay (Copa America)
Sep 10, 2013: Paraguay 2-5 Argentina (WCQ)

ARG vs PAR Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Argentina are at 4/9 to win, a draw is at 10/3, and a Paraguay win is at 6/1.

- Top two teams advance to the knockout round.  The two best third-place teams also progress after the group stage has ended.

Group B’s outlook so far sees Colombia on top of the fray, with the being the only team to have taken all three points on offer from their first match.  The good news for bottom side Argentina is that there was a draw in the other match between Qatar and Paraguay, which is the best case scenario for them ahead of this encounter.  It doesn’t take the sting out of their loss, but it does dull it some.

Argentina just don’t look like the team that many expect them to be.  They have lost two of their last four outings, and that’s just not acceptable to many in South America and across the world.  In the last year overall, they have seven wins, a draw, and five losses to their names.  The losses, however, usually come against bigger sides, so there is that.

Paraguay won’t come into this match in the best of moods after they let a two goal advantage slip in the final quarter of the match with Qatar on Sunday.  The draw means they now have only won once in the entire last year of action, with only a win over lowly Guatemala to hang their hats on.  Overall, in what has a been an extremely limited year, they have one win, three draws, and two loses, with the match against Qatar being the only bit of competitive action for them.

Ladbrokes have no for both sides scoring at 7/10.

A draw at half time can be had for 2.2 at Betfair.

Argentina vs Paraguay Prediction

There is absolutely no excuse for Argentina to not get out of the blocks by picking up three points via a victory.  It won’t be the easiest, it never is for them, but they will get it done by the skin of their teeth as they forge a path out of the group.

Correct Score Prediction: Argentina 1-0 Paraguay

Argentina Team News

Lionel Scaloni has some thinking to do after defeat in the opening match of the tournament.  You know Messi will play and be a mainstay, but apart from him, what pieces play will go a long way to winning or losing.  Right back Renzo Saravia and midfielders Guido Rodriguez and Leandro Paredes picked up yellow cards in the opener and will be on their toes a bit here.

Argentina Key Man

We all know how important Lionel Messi is to their cause, and it can’t be overstated.  He’s by far the best player on the team, and that is part of the issue for Argentina.  With him being so good, he’s never gotten as much help as with Barcelona, causing him to see poor results, relatively speaking, in international football.  Apart from Messi, there is a lot of hope in Gio Lo Celso.  The Real Betis man has been a revelation and is thought to be headed toward a big money move in the weeks ahead.

Argentina Team Form

Argentina have two losses and three wins in their last five matches:

0-2 loss vs Colombia
5-1 home win vs Nicaragua (Fri)
0-1 win at Morocco (Fri)
1-3 home loss vs Venezuela (Fri)
2-0 home win vs Mexico (Fri)

Argentina Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-4-2

Paraguay Team News

Eduardo Berizzo decided to leave out veteran striker Roque Santa Cruz and midfielder Richard Ortiz from his side, though neither are massive misses for them.  After the opening match, Hernan Perez and Fabian Balbuena will be mindful of yellow cards.

Paraguay Key Man

Miguel Almiron’s importance to the Paraguayan side can’t be overstated, and his contribution in the second half on Sunday looked to have surely wrapped up the points for them as he laid on the assist for Derlis Gonzalez’s goal.  Alas, though, the Newcastle man’s helping hand wasn’t enough in the end.  At the back, they will be led by West Ham’s breakout center back Fabian Balbuena.  He is on a yellow and faces a suspension should he pick up another, so that will make his job against Messi and co. all the harder in a delicate affair.  

Paraguay Team Form

Paraguay have two draws, a win, and two losses in their last five matches:

2-2 draw vs Qatar
2-0 home win vs Guatemala (Fri)
1-1 home draw vs Honduras (Fri)
4-2 loss at Mexico (Fri)
1-0 loss at Peru (Fri)

Paraguay Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-2-3-1

There have been a lot of low points for Argentina's national side over the years, but a loss here would perhaps lead to one of the darkest times in the history of the team. With that being said, you just can't see them losing here. Colombia are an extremely talented side, and it was no surprise to see them beat Messi and co. But Paraguay aren't nearly as good as those men, meaning Argentina should get the three points, right?

After conceding 20 times over five matches against Argentina, Paraguay have kept two clean sheets in a row, which allowed them to get a win and a draw from their rivals.