South American powerhouse Brazil are set to lock horns with Paraguay in a crucial FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifying clash at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción on Tuesday.
Brazil will be looking to bounce back from their second half capitulation against Uruguay on Saturday when they squandered a 2 goal lead to eventually draw 2-2 with Oscar Tabarez’s side. The Selecao now travel to Asuncion to take on Ramón Díaz’s battle hardened Paraguay side which knocked the Brazilians out of last year’s Copa America in the quarter finals stage.
Paraguay were on the verge of recording an impressive away win against table toppers Ecuador last week before being denied by a controversial stoppage time equalizer by Angel Mena. While the last minute equalizer left a bad taste a mouth for the Paraguayans, they will be hoping to get their qualification campaign back on track by defeating an injury ravaged Brazil outfit.
Lineups
Paraguay
Possible Starting XI (4-4-2 formation): Villar; Samudio, Da Silva, Gomez, Valdez; E. Benitez, Ortiz, Ortigoza, Gonzalez; J. Benitez, Lezcano.
Brazil
Possible Starting XI (4-2-3-1 formation): Alisson; Luis, Gil, Miranda, Alves; Gustavo, Fernandinho; Costa, Renato, Willian; Gabriel.
Key Stats
- Paraguay knocked Brazil out of the Copa America quarter-finals in 2015 and 2011.
- Paraguay are fourth in the 10-team table having ended Ecuador’s 100 per cent record in the qualifiers by sealing a 2-2 draw in Quito on Thursday.
- Paraguay are level on eight points with third placed Brazil after five matches.
Prediction
Praguay 1-1 Brazil
Brazil and Paraguay head into Tuesday’s match with little separating the two sides. Brazil’s formidable attacking unit will be severely depleted without the presence of their talisman Neymar upfront. However, the presence of Renato, Douglas Costa and Willian in the final third of the pitch will see Brazil get on the scoresheet atleast once. Without the presence of the suspended David Luiz in central defence, the already vulnerable Brazilian defence will find it hard to keep out Paraguayan hitman Dario Lezcano on Tuesday. The Ingolstadt striker scored a brace last week to earn a point for Paraguay against table toppers Ecuador.
Odds (bet 365)
Paraguay- 3.25
Draw- 3.40
Brazil- 2.15