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Paraguay will welcome Nicaragua to Estadio Defensores del Chaco for a friendly match as they wrap up preparations for the FIFA World Cup.
The hosts are returning to the world stage for the first time since their 2010 quarter-final run and will be eyeing a confidence-boosting victory here.
Nicaragua, on the other hand, will hope to put an end to their winless run.
Read our Paraguay vs Nicaragua prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Paraguay vs Nicaragua key stats
- Nicaragua have no wins in their last three games.
- Three of Paraguay's last four matches went above the 2.5-goal line.
- Fewer than five cards were awarded in eight of Nicaragua’s last nine outings.
Paraguay vs Nicaragua preview: Hosts to get back on course?
| Paraguay | vs | Nicaragua |
|---|---|---|
| 40th | FIFA Ranking | 131st |
| Gustavo Gomez (88) | Most Caps | Jason Coronel (40) |
| Miguel Almiron (9) | Most Goals | Ariagner Smith (7) |
| 756 | Total Caps | 159 |
| 49 | Total Goals | 15 |
| 0 | Uncapped Players | 2 |
Paraguay's clash with Nicaragua on Friday night is their only preparatory friendly ahead of the FIFA World Cup. The hosts had an impressive qualification campaign, finishing with as many points as Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia.
Los Guaranies put up a talented 26-man squad for the competition, which begins with a clash against co-hosts United States before battling Turkey and Australia later on in Group D.
Despite finishing the English Championship season with a groin injury, Portsmouth midfielder Gustavo Caballero was named in Paraguay's World Cup squad alongside Gremio defender Fabian Balbuena, who has thigh problems. Both players are not expected to feature in this friendly.
Former Newcastle winger Miguel Almiron, Sunderland defender Omar Alderete, Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez and Cremonese striker Antonio Sanabria are all expected to get minutes on Friday night for the hosts.
Nicaragua, meanwhile, go into Friday’s clash with Paraguay on the back of a goalless draw against South Africa. Having lost six of their last nine games and finished last in their World Cup qualifying group last November with just four points, it's time to get to the drawing board for the Central American outfit.
In a bid to rebuild the national team, new coach Juan Cruz Real left out most of the players who competed in the World Cup qualifiers and named a squad of players mostly between 20 and 25 years of age for the friendlies against World Cup-bound South Africa and Paraguay.
To be fair, several injuries to regulars like Byron Bonilla, Christian Reyes, Josue Quijano, Ariel Arauz, and Juan Barrera may have influenced Cruz Real’s decision to go with youngsters for the friendlies.
The 49-year-old Argentine gaffer handed debuts to five youngsters against South Africa, and he's expected to make some changes again here. Jorge Garcia will definitely be unavailable after sustaining an injury 20 minutes from time in the barren draw with South Africa, while Ariagner Smith will be available for selection after being ruled out last week.
This will be the second clash between these nations. Their only other encounter took place at this stadium three years ago, with Paraguay earning a 2-0 victory.
Paraguay vs Nicaragua form guide & betting tips
| Paraguay | vs | Nicaragua |
|---|---|---|
L
L
W
W
L
|
Form |
L
W
L
L
D
|
| 5 | Goals For | 4 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 9 |
L
L
W
W
L
|
International Friendly Form |
L
L
D
L
D
|
Whispers Predicts: Paraguay 3-1 Nicaragua
At 3/25 (1.12), Paraguay are clearly favoured by the bookmakers ahead of this skirmish.
Keeping in mind that Nicaragua lost six of their last seven away games, anything other than a victory for Paraguay would be a surprise.
It is also worth mentioning that both teams were on the scoresheet in three of Paraguay's last four matches. This can be backed at 2/1 (3.00).
Also, considering that Nicaragua conceded first in seven of their last nine fixtures, we also fancy a HT Paraguay win at 1/2 (1.50).
> Over 3.5 total goals at 13/10 (2.30) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 2/1 (3.00) | Likelihood: Possible
> HT result: Paraguay at 1/2 (1.50) | Likelihood: Probable
> Paraguay & BTTS – Yes at 5/2 (3.50) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 3-1 at 13/1 (14.00) | Likelihood: Outsider