Argentina will play against Paraguay in the early hours of Friday (Central European Time) in a big 2026 South American World Cup qualifier.
Argentina form guideThe world champions are in excellent form ahead of this clash, having won six consecutive games in normal time. Lionel Scaloni's team has been performing well at both ends of the field, having kept six clean sheets in a row and scored at least two goals in five of their six wins.
The home team is currently second in South American World Cup qualifying standings, trailing only old rivals Brazil, due to the Selecao’s superior goal difference.
Argentina are unbeaten in 23 qualifiers since a 2-0 defeat in Bolivia in 2017. La Albiceleste are also undefeated in their previous 14 World Cup home qualifiers, having kept 11 clean sheets in the stellar run of home form in qualifying.
Paraguay form guideThe visitors have a poor recent record, claiming just one victory in their last seven matches in all competitions. A 1-0 loss in Venezuela was their fourth defeat in their previous six international outings.
Their recent outings have lacked goals, as eight of their last nine games have seen under 2.5 goals scored.
Paraguay’s recent record in World Cup qualifying has also been woeful, as they have claimed just one win in their previous 11 outings.
The visitor's recent away record has little in it to suggest that Paraguay can pull off a shock result, as they haven’t won in their previous nine qualifiers away from home. One of the biggest factors in the poor recent away record has been a poor attack, as they haven’t scored in eight of their nine winless away qualifiers.
What am I backing?It is very difficult to back anything other than the home victory in this clash, so that is the bet I am backing.
