Uruguay vs Paraguay Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (CONMEBOL) | Group Stage
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After an impressive start to his reign in charge of Uruguay, Marcelo Bielsa are preparing to send off legendary striker Luis Suarez, who will play his last ever game for La Celeste in this qualifier against Paraguay in Montevideo.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 7th September, 2024 - UK – 1:00am / Sunday 8th September, 2024 - US ET – 8:00pm / US PT – 5:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – Not televised
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Player / US – Fanatiz
URUGUAY PREVIEW: URUGUAY ON THE RISE
Since the appointment of Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay have begun to almost immediately develop and implement his tactical principles of a high and aggressive press as well as slick and cohesive attacking patterns of play.
They recently reached the semi-finals of the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America and have started well in their CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, collecting 13 points from six matches including a 2-0 defeat of Argentina.
PARAGUAY PREVIEW: PARAGUAY ON THE PUSH
Paraguay have some really exciting emerging talents in their squad with Newcastle United attacker Miguel Almiron now supported by the likes of Julio Enciso of Brighton and Hove Albion, Brighton-bound Diego Gomez as well as Nottingham Forest’s Ramon Sosa.
The Paraguayans have started their qualifying campaign with five points from their opening six games and they currently sit seventh in the table in the intercontinental playoff place, just a point behind Brazil, who are sixth at the time of writing.
URUGUAY TEAM NEWS: LUIS SUAREZ SEND OFF
As mentioned, Luis Suarez has announced his international retirement but will get a send off here as captain so there is an expectation that the Inter Miami forward starts this encounter.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Sergio Rochet; Guillermo Varela, Santiago Bueno, Sebastian Caceres, Lucas Olaza; Manuel Ugarte, Fede Valverde; Facundo Pellistri, Nahitan Nandez, Maximiliano Araujo; Luis Suarez
UNAVAILABLE: Agustin Sant’Anna (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
PARAGUAY TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT
What is the challenge for the Paraguayans this week is finding a balance between their numerous attackers but also being tight and defensive enough to frustrate a strong home team.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Gatito Fernandez; Fabian Balbuena, Gustavo Gomez, Omar Alderete; Kaku, Mathias Villasanti, Diego Gomez, Santiago Arzamendia; Miguel Almiron, Tonny Sanabria, Julio Enciso
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
URUGUAY VS PARAGUAY PREDICTION
This is expected to be a fairly one-sided affair in Montevideo. Uruguay are missing a couple of key members of their squad, such as Jose Maria Gimenez and Rodrigo Bentancur, but the two-time world champions still have the tactical cohesion and personnel to overcome a Paraguay side that are lacking a bit of strength in depth. Paraguay do have the capabilities to steal a goal in this one so the Uruguayans remain favourites for what could be an entertaining encounter.
URUGUAY VS PARAGUAY TIP: URUGUAY TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
