Argentinians travel to Paraguay, the hosts at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco, hoping to maintain their perfect start to the World Cup 2022 qualifiers in the Thursday’s clash. Argentina are currently sitting on the 2nd spot in the standings with eighteen points, while Paraguay is down to 6th on eleven.
Paraguay team had a consistent start in the world cup qualifiers and went unbeaten in their first five games. Paraguay’s first victory came in the match against Venezuela before they headed to the back to back defeats against Brazil and Ecuador.
The hosts come to this match from a 2-1 victory against the bottom team, Venezuela, thanks to Kaku and David Martinez for finding the net. Paraguay will need to change in tactics managing the wins against only one side in the campaign so far. Paraguay will come to this match aiming to convert their earlier earned draw in the campaign to a victory.
Lionel Scaloni’s men remain unbeaten in the Qualifying with 18 points earned from a possible 24 with a game in hand. Argentina have lost the six points in the encounters against Chile, Colombia and Paraguay to lower their hopes to get to the top spot and sit second currently three points just ahead of Uruguay who will encounter Colombia.
Argentina did claim a narrow 1-0 win over Paraguay in the Copa America run in late June this coming after the 1-1 draw last year in the qualifiers. The win was the only win in their previous 5 encounters and have failed to score more than once. However, in the latest encounter a victory for Argentina was posted against Bolivia in the match ending 3-0 Messi being on the score sheet getting all to the net.
Paraguay vs Argentina head to head
In the last 16 head to head encounters since 2004, Argentina have won 7 times while the opponents have won 3 times. 6 matches have turned out with a draw result. Argentina have not lost in their last 5 away matches. Angel Romero is Paraguay’s top scorer with 4 goals whereas Lionel Messi has scored 5 times for Argentina.
- Argentina 1-0 Paraguay 22/06/21
- Argentina 1-1 Paraguay 13/11/20
- Argentina 1-1 Paraguay 20/06/19
- Argentina 0-1 Paraguay 12/10/16
- Paraguay 0-0 Argentina 14/10/15
Home
- Paraguay 2-1 Venezuela
- Paraguay 1-1 Colombia
- Ecuador 2-0 Paraguay
- Peru 4-3 Paraguay
- Uruguay 1-0 Paraguay
Away
- Argentina 3-0 Bolivia
- Venezuela 1-3 Argentina
- Argentina 1-0 Brazil
- Argentina 3-2 Colombia
- Argentina 3-0 Ecuador
Paraguay team news
David Martinez or Blas Riveros are excluded due to injuries.
Argentina team news
Paulo Dybala and Sergio Aguero will both miss out due to injuries.
Prediction and Odds
- Argentina to win
- Goals over 2.5
- Both sides to score
