Colombia want to hold their own in Paraguay
Paraguay have a very compact team and will want to prove themselves to be the typical, unpleasant opponent against Colombia. The visitors should be warned, but come to Asuncion in good shape
The Paraguay vs. Colombia prediction from the local bookmakers is that Colombia will go into the clash as favorites. However, the home side are not bad and can bring an opponent to the brink of despair – and beyond.
The home side will try to disrupt the flow of the game and prevent Colombia from gaining any momentum. Our Paraguay vs. Colombia betting tip is therefore that the visitors will not lose and that less than 3.5 goals will be scored.
Paraguay – Statistics & current form
Paraguay play a very unpleasant style of play under coach Daniel Garnero. The South Americans are very focused on defending, want to concede as little as possible and cause problems for their opponents. The focus is on compact spaces, a lot of running and occasional fouls. But not like Rojas, who overdid it in the game against Chile and was sent off. Decimating yourself cannot be the aim.
Otherwise, the game against Chile was textbook. Paraguay were disciplined and showed great foresight. The 0-0 draw at the end therefore also fitted into the overall picture. After five games, Paraguay now have a goal difference of 1:2, so anyone expecting a spectacle in this game is wrong. Compared to other nations, the Paraguayans also have individual problems, which is why they have to mask this with hard work on the pitch.
Gustavo Gomez, Richard Sanchez, Miguel Almirón and Antonio Sanabria are the best-known names in the host nation’s squad. And yet the 53rd-ranked team in FIFA’s world rankings still has a chance of reaching the finals and will be doing everything in their power to make it happen. Good performances are important for this, but a win is also needed at home
Paraguay: How to get momentum on the offensive
Despite the defensive performance, things look very poor offensively. Four out of five games without scoring a goal is not a good record. Only in the two test matches against Chile and Nicaragua this year did the team score two goals each. The team must now somehow build on this. Because one thing seems clear: If things don’t improve, it won’t be enough to qualify.
The Paraguay vs Colombia odds also show that the visitors will go into the match as favorites. Although this starting position is not completely clear, the Colombians have advantages in many areas and will want to bring these onto the pitch.
Paraguay will generally not deviate from their own approach. This is one of the reasons why our prediction for the match between Paraguay and Colombia is that the visitors will not lose and that fewer than 3.5 goals will be scored
Paraguay line-up prediction:
Coronel – Caceres, Gomez, Alderete, Espinoza – Villasanti, Cubas, Rojas, Romero – Sanabria, Avalos
Colombia – Statistics & current form
Colombia have undergone a solid development under Nestor Lorenzo. This was once again evident in the last few games. The game against Brazil on the last matchday in particular went very well, with Colombia winning 2:1. Luis Diaz scored a brace in the process. The Liverpool FC attacker is also the top star of his national team.
However, Davinson Sanchez, James Rodriguez, Luis Sinisterra and Cucho Hernandez are other top-class players in the squad. Individually, the visitors therefore have a slight advantage. The betting odds also suggest this. After a good start so far, Colombia will be looking to notch up another win and finish high up in the group rankings.
However, not everything is going perfectly yet, as the Colombians have “only” managed two wins from five games. The other three games all ended in draws, which in turn leads to more positive statistics. Colombia are the only team in this qualifying phase in South America who have not yet suffered a defeat. Even Argentina lost a game recently
Colombia: The long-term record is also impressive
Colombia is also a lot of fun for its supporters on the road. Not only have they not lost in the calendar year and have even beaten Japan and Germany, the Colombians have not lost in 15 games and have climbed to 17th place in the FIFA world rankings as a result. In addition to their individual qualities, the statistics also speak in favour of the visitors.
Colombia do not play hara-kiri soccer but, like Paraguay, are more defensively-minded, albeit with far more emphasis on offense. Three of the last four games have ended in draws, and Colombia should now take another step forward.
One or two statistics speak in favor of the visitors, which is why our value tip ahead of the match between Paraguay and Colombia is that the visitors will win and continue their streak
Predicted line-up for Colombia:
Vargas – Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Machado – Castano, Uribe, Rios, James Rodriguez – Luis Diaz, Borré
Paraguay – Colombia head-to-head / H2H result
Paraguay and Colombia have met in 48 matches so far. Paraguay have won 18 times, while Colombia have come out on top 21 times. The direct comparison is therefore almost even. The last two qualifying matches between the two teams ended in draws.
Paraguay – Colombia betting tip
Paraguay play a very defensive style of soccer and will try to be very stable against Colombia. However, the home side need points, the offense has problems and scores far too rarely. This also makes the table situation look a little complicated for the hosts
Colombia, meanwhile, are brimming with confidence. The visitors are favored and in good form, so our pre-match prediction for Paraguay vs Colombia is that the visitors will not lose and that fewer than 3.5 goals will be scored.
