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World Cup favourites France continue their quest for the trophy against Paraguay in the round of 16 in Philadelphia on Saturday night.
Les Bleus beat Sweden with ease last time out, strolling to a 3-0 win with their attacking firepower putting on a show.
Meanwhile, Paraguay stunned Germany by being the first team to beat them in a World Cup penalty shootout, and they will be heavy underdogs again here.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions, as well as our best betting offers for world cup.
Paraguay vs. France key stats
- Paraguay have won just twice after 90 minutes in six games in all competitions (D2, L2).
- France are on a five-match winning run across all competitions.
- Paraguay have never beaten France in five previous H2Hs, although the last was in 2017.
Paraguay vs. France preview: Les Bleus to reach quarters?
| Paraguay | vs | France |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | FIFA Ranking | 3 |
| Gustavo Gomez (93) | Most Caps | Kylian Mbappe (102) |
| Miguel Almiron (10) | Most Goals | Kylian Mbappe (62) |
| 755 | Total Caps | 864 |
| 56 | Total Goals | 113 |
| 0 | Uncapped Players | 1 |
Paraguay shocked the world by knocking four-time winners Germany out of the World Cup, no less via penalties.
La Albirroja's best-ever World Cup run was the quarter-finals in 2010, but they will have to beat favourites France to get there.
Still, Gustavo Alfaro’s side can be proud of their journey, having only lost once in four games and being unbeaten in their last three (W2, D1).
France are a different level of opposition though, and Paraguay may have to face them without star player Julio Enciso, who scored against Germany but also picked up an injury.
France are going from strength to strength after another comfortable victory against Sweden, extending their 100% record at the World Cup so far.
Les Bleus have been runners-up in the previous two tournaments, and will want to go one better this time around.
They are favourites to do so with the bookies, as Didier Deschamps' side boasts so much talent, especially in attacking areas.
Marcus Thuram remains their only absentee, and with a full-strength XI, they will be confident of getting the job done again here.
Paraguay vs. France form guide & betting tips
| Paraguay | vs | France |
|---|---|---|
WLWDW |
Form | WWWWW |
| 7 | Goals For | 16 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 3 |
WDW |
World Cup 2026 | WWW |
Whispers predicts: Paraguay 0-3 France
France are unsurprisingly 1/5 (1.20) favourites to win and 1/14 (1.07) favourites to progress, but while we side with the bookies, these odds are too short for us to back.
Instead, we are backing Over 2.5 France goals at 1/1 (2.00), which they have managed in each of their four World Cup games.
The majority of their goals in the tournament so far have come from Kylian Mbappe, who is the joint-highest scorer with Lionel Messi (six).
Les Bleus' all-time top scorer has netted three braces already, and so Mbappe to score 2+ goals at 3/1 (4.00) certainly appeals.
Overall, we feel France will possess far too much quality for Paraguay, and so we are predicting a Correct score – 0-3 at 6/1 (7.00).
> Over 2.5 France goals at 1/1 (2.00) | Likelihood: Probable
> Mbappe to score 2+ goals at 3/1 (4.00) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – 0-3 at 6/1 (7.00) | Likelihood: Outsider