Paraguay vs Venezuela Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (CONMEBOL)

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Just one place separates Paraguay and Venezuela in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings, as the pair meet at Estadio ueno Defensores del Chaco.

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Wednesday 16th October, 2024: UK – 12:00am / US ET – 7:00pm (Tuesday) / US PT – 4:00pm (Tuesday)

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – bet365 / US – Fanatiz

PARAGUAY PREVIEW: SOLID BUT UNSPECTACULAR

It was another uneventful qualifier for Paraguay last time out with Gustavo Alfaro's men playing out a goalless draw at Ecuador, but they are still very much in the hunt for one of the World Cup qualifying spaces given that up to seven CONMEBOL teams can make it to the 2026 finals.

They have scored just two goals cross their nine qualifiers to date, but have conceded only three, with just one goal conceded in their last six.

VENEZUELA PREVIEW: WINLESS IN FIVE

Venezuela, one place above Paraguay in the CONMEBOL table, have record back-to-back draws against top South American nations Uruguay and Argentina, most recently holding the world champions to a 1-1 draw in Maturin last week.

They had veteran striker Salomon Rondon to thank for that point, with his second-half equaliser enough to frustrate Lionel Messi and co. They are, however, winless in their last five qualifiers, with one defeat punctuating four draws.

PARAGUAY TEAM NEWS: GOMEZ AND ALONSO BACK AFTER BANS

After suspension kept them out of the Ecuador stalemate, Diego Gomez and Junior Alonso are both available for this fixture and both are likely to slot back into the starting XI.

Alex Arce was preferred to Isidro Pitta up front last time out, but Alfaro will be tempted to switch things up after they lacked bit in attack against Ecuador.

PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Fernandez; Balbuena, G. Gomez, Alderete; Caceres, Cubas, Bobadilla, Alonso; D. Gomez, Almiron; Pitta

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

VENEZUELA TEAM NEWS: MARTINEZ SUSPENDED

Midfielder Jose Martinez will miss out after crossing the yellow card threshold against Argentina, and his place could be taken by Edson Castillo.

Having scored a national record 45 goals in 111 international appearances, Rondon will again be his nation's dangerman up front.

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Romo; Gonzalez, Osorio, Ferraresi, Aramburu; Castillo, Rincon, Herrera; Savarino, Rondon, Soltedo

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

KEY STATS

• Paraguay have won six of their previous eight World Cup qualifying matches at home against Venezuela (L2).
• Paraguay have lost only one of their last six World Cup qualifying matches (W2 D3).
• Paraguay have won three of their last five World Cup qualifying matches at home (D1 L1).
• Paraguay have kept five clean sheets in their last six World Cup qualifying matches.
• Paraguay have failed to score in 15 of their last 18 World Cup qualifying matches.
• Only one of the previous 17 World Cup qualifying matches between Paraguay and Venezuela finished level.
• Venezuela have lost only one of their last eight World Cup qualifying matches (W2 D5).
• Venezuela have drawn four of their last five World Cup qualifying matches.
  
• Venezuela are without a win in their last 13 World Cup qualifying matches away from home (D2 L11). Last win was in October 2017 v. Paraguay (W 1-0).

PARAGUAY VS VENEZUELA PREDICTION

Paraguay's run of low-scoring games continued with the stalemate at Ecuador last week, and it may well be that this style of play will be enough to earn then at least the play-off spot come the end of qualifying.

Venezuela are one of the teams in their direct sight for a qualifying berth though, so both managers will be keen to make the most of this opportunity. In contrast to the hosts' recent games, this one could be a little more open with both sides chasing victory, so both teams scoring is worth looking at.

PARAGUAY VS VENEZUELA TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE