Paraguay vs Brazil Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | World Cup Qualifiers

Preview

• Tournament: World Cup Qualifiers
• Date: Wednesday, September 11
• Kick-off Time: 12: 30 am GMT
• Venue: Estadio ueno Defensores del Chaco, Paraguay

Brazil will be travelling to its neighbour, Paraguay for a crucial encounter in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. The two nations are separated by just four points in the qualification table after seven matchdays. The hosts sit on the seventh spot, and as of now will head into the play-offs. Brazil, on the other hand, is three places above at fourth with 10 points to its name. The Selecao is in a spot of bother with the likes of Venezuela and Ecuador closing in. The two nations met each other in the recently concluded Copa America with Brazil coming out on top with a 4-1 win.

Paraguay’s recent form has been atrocious with the country winless in the last eight matches. The 0-0 draw in the last game against Uruguay ended Paraguay’s losing streak which stretched back to October 2023. The national team finished last in its Copa America group. Gustavo Alfaro has a tremendously challenging task on his hands to get his team back on track. With 11 games still to go in the South American qualification campaign, Paraguay will be confident to hold on to a spot in the top seven to earn a place in North America in 2026.

Although Brazil has not tasted defeat in 90 minutes since last November, the fans are still not impressed with the displays. The Brazilians were knocked out of the Copa America on penalties by Uruguay in the quarter-finals after an underwhelming run. The five-time world champions are enduring a transitional state which has led to disappointing results. Dorival Junior has tried and tested various combinations and shapes but still, his team looks far from its potential best. Brazil will need nothing less than victory against Paraguay to keep pace with the likes of Uruguay and Argentina.

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Team News

Paraguay National Football Team News

The 62ⁿᵈ ranked nation in the world will once again take the field in a classic 4-3-3 formation. The majority of Paraguay’s attacking threat is expected to come from the flanks in the shape of Julio Enciso and Miguel Almiron. Gustavo Gomez, who will be on the sidelines due to a suspension, is the only absentee from Alfaro’s squad against Brazil as of now.

Brazil National Football Team News

Dorvial Junior will have to manage without his preferred centre-back option, Eder Militao. The defender is out for 10 days after tests revealed a minor injury in his thigh. Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Andre will be deployed yet again in the pivot role after an impressive showing against Ecuador in the last match. Rodrygo is set to start as the number nine against Paraguay. Talented youngster, Esetvao will battle for the right-wing spot with Botafogo’s Luiz Henrique. Pedro and Yan Couto are out due to fitness worries.

Predicted Lineups

Paraguay National Football Team Predicted Lineup:

Fernandez; Velazquez, Balbuena, Alderete, Alonso; Gomez, Villasanti, Bobadilla; Almiron, Enciso, Pitta

Brazil National Football Team Predicted Lineup:

Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Arana; Andre, Guimaraes, Paqueta; Henrique, Vinicius, Rodrygo

Head-to-Head

Brazil has the upper hand in the head-to-head record with Paraguay. Wednesday’s visitors have not lost to Paraguay in their last six meetings which includes five victories and a draw. The hosts will have their work cut out to overturn the unfavourable ratio.

Last Five Matches’ Result:

Paraguay 1-4 Brazil (2024, Copa America)

Brazil 4-0 Paraguay (2022, World Cup Qualifiers)

Paraguay 0-2 Brazil (2021, World Cup Qualifiers)

Brazil 0-0 Paraguay (4-3 after penalties) (2019, Copa America)

Brazil 3-0 Paraguay (2017, World Cup Qualifiers)

Key Players to Watch Out For

Vinicius Jr. (Brazil)

The 2024 Ballon d’Or favourite is one of the hottest properties in world football right now. However, his stats with Brazil do not do justice to a player of his talent and prowess. Extraordinarily, the winger has just five international goals since his debut in 2021. Vini was once more lacklustre against Ecuador which invited tonnes of trolls online. His last goal with Brazil came against Paraguay in the Copa America and he will be eager to back that up against the same opponents on Wednesday to reply in the best manner to the critics.

Andre (Brazil)

The 23-year-old Wolves midfielder had a 95% pass accuracy, 100% long balls completion rate, 100% ground duels won rate, and a 100% aerial duels won rate against Ecuador. Andre was a big reason why Brazil was able to hold onto the narrow 1-0 margin by controlling the midfield. He will once again be required to dictate the play along with Bruno Guimaraes to negate and shut down the Paraguayan threat.

Paraguay vs Brazil Prediction

Brazil’s splendid record over Paraguay makes a positive result for the latter a very distant possibility. Gustavo Alfaro will be content to finish the game with a draw and will hence look to turn the game into a conservative contest. The 62-year-old will be keen to rectify the mistakes from the Copa America match. Brazil, though, will be confident to take the three points and also gain a substantial improvement in the goal difference.

Predicted Score: Paraguay 1-3 Brazil

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