Both hope for the first win
In South America, the qualifying phase for the 2026 World Cup has already been underway for a short time. The national teams all have the goal of qualifying for the finals. Especially behind the big names Argentina and Brazil it could be very close again.
The Venezuela vs Paraguay prediction from betting sites does not indicate any significant advantages for either team. What they have in common is that things did not go ideally in the opener, individually they are not essentially different from each other either. So, a battle of attrition on the field seems conceivable.
Just because both are not so different individually, this match could be very interesting. Nobody should expect a spectacle, which is why our Venezuela vs. Paraguay tip is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored.
Venezuela – Statistics & current form
The density of quality in South American soccer is increasing. Even nations like Venezuela have aspirations when it comes to qualifying for major tournaments. Head coach Fernando Batista’s team lost its first match against Colombia, but in the 0:1 Venezuela underlined its own claims, was not too far away from the host. Now they are looking for their first win against Paraguay. The squad has plenty to offer in any case.
The linchpin is Tomas Rincon, who will be familiar to some from the Bundesliga. Ex-Malaga pro Roberto Rosales has also made his mark in Europe, as have attackers Sergio Cordova and Salomon Rondon. Venezuela has a fairly experienced squad, which could certainly pay off. However, young talent is not completely lacking either.
Venezuela vs Paraguay odds show that bookmakers expect a very even match, in which both teams have their chances to get a good result. Venezuela, of course, has the home advantage and those who know games from South America, know that the spectators often play a not insignificant role. So this factor already speaks in favor of the hosts.
Venezuela consistently stable in recent games
It should also be noted that the home side has performed well in recent weeks and months. Venezuela has lost only one of its last eight internationals, but unfortunately that was the opening match of the qualifying phase. Nevertheless, hopes are high that they can play a good role and take part in the 2026 World Cup. The protracted phase of the qualification can speak especially for the small nations in this regard.
Against Paraguay, Venezuela will again rely on the now well-rehearsed 4-3-3 system. Especially the offensive players on the flanks, namely Savarino and Machis, bring the necessary speed. Venezuela will try to maneuver the Paraguayans into direct duels again and again in order to be able to play their own advantages there.
If there are some chances, however, they will have to be exploited better than recently. Venezuela has quality, but for victories in this phase of the qualification everything must fit. Due to the omens, our prediction before the Venezuela vs Paraguay match is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored.
Predicted lineup of Venezuela:
Romo – Gonzalez, Angel, Osorio, Mago – Rincon, Herrera, Casseres Jr – Savarino, Machis, Rondon
Paraguay – statistics & current form
Paraguay also wants to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, but played only 0-0 at home in the first match against Peru, and Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the coach of this team, was not fully satisfied with the game. The team could have done better, as the quality in the squad is undoubtedly there. Individually, the visitors should even be superior to the home side from Venezuela.
Captain Gustavo Gomez, fellow center back Junior Alonso, Braian Ojeda, Jesus Medina, and especially key player Miguel Almiron, who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League, are among the leaders of this team. Paraguay has assembled a technically adept selection of players, but in their first game they were unable to create enough going forward despite good moments of possession.
That should change now. There must be more momentum in the game forward, as well as the hosts. That the bookmakers are rather pessimistic in this respect and do not expect a spectacular game, the Venezuela vs. Paraguay betting odds show very clearly. More likely is a feeling-out between the two teams. Whoever scores the first goal will already have a clear advantage.
The trend is against Paraguay
While Venezuela has at least been able to show a rock solid form curve in recent games, things don’t look quite as good for Paraguay. The trend doesn’t necessarily favor the visitors, who have lost three of their last five international matches. Just how much catching up there is to do on the offensive side becomes clear when you consider that seven of Paraguay’s games since the start of 2022 have ended without a goal of their own.
The chances must therefore be created more clearly and then ultimately converted more purposefully. Without an improvement in performance, it will be difficult to win. Therefore, before the match Venezuela vs. Paraguay, our value tip is that the home side will not lose and will score less than 3.5 goals in the match.
Predicted lineup of Paraguay:
Coronel – R. Rojas, Gomez, Alonso, Riveros – Cubas, Gomez, Ojeda – Almidón, Sosa, Morales
Venezuela – Paraguay Direct comparison / H2H balance
27 times both nations faced each other in direct comparison. Paraguay leads the direct comparison very clearly, has 18 wins on the account. Venezuela is currently only at four games won in the direct duel. With 49:23 goals, Paraguay is also in the lead here, and the team has also won its last two games.
Venezuela – Paraguay tip
Everything is set for an even, exciting match between these two teams. Both Venezuela and Paraguay started the qualifying campaign winless and goalless. Both are looking to start there and do better now.
But because both have major structural problems offensively and both teams don’t allow too much defensively our tip before the Venezuela vs Paraguay match is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored.
