Uruguay vs Paraguay Prediction & Match Preview

 

Estadio Centenario will host Friday’s WC qualifier between Uruguay and Paraguay, the two teams who are level on points ahead of round 7. 

La Celeste have been having their ups and downs in the qualifiers, and, no doubt, they are eager to make amends for a 2-0 loss to Brazil.

Manchester United attacker Edinson Cavani is banned for the match, with Nahitan Nandez being out of contention as well. 

As always, a man to keep an eye on in the home team will be Luis Suarez, who helped Atletico Madrid win the La Liga title.

La Albirroja, on the other hand, aim to extend their unbeaten run to five games. 

Paraguay have been performing above expectations in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, and we are positive that they will grab something from the Estadio Centenario clash. 

All Enciso, Martinez, and Duarte could make their Paraguay debuts against Uruguay.

Uruguay vs Paraguay Head-to-head

Teams Uruguay Paraguay played so far 13 matches.

Uruguay won 6 direct matches. Paraguay won 4 matches. 3 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 2.38 goals per Match.

Uruguay vs Paraguay Prediction

Uruguay in actual season average scored 1.74 goals per match. In 12 (75.00%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 9 (56.25%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.

Paraguay average scored 1.10 goals per match in season 2021. In 6 (42.86%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 1 (7.14%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.

Team News:

Uruguay will be without the suspended Cavani, which means key forward Luis Suarez is set to start in attack alongside Jonathan Rodriguez.

Goalkeeper Martin Campana has started in every qualifier so far, but he could be replaced on Thursday by the 116-time capped Fernando Muslera.

Left-back Matias Vina is set to replace Agustin Oliveros, who made his debut against Brazil in November but has not been named in the 24-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers.

Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin are expected to start at centre-back ahead of Sebastian Coates and Ronald Araujo, while Arsenal's Lucas Torreira and Real Madrid's Rodrigo Bentancur are likely to start in central midfield.

As for Paraguay, striker Antonio Sanabria has not been named in their 32-man squad, despite starting their most recent match against Bolivia in November.

Either Carlos Gonzalez Espinola or Gabriel Avalos – who is yet to make his debut – is set to start as the lone striker with Angel Romero and Newcastle United's Miguel Almiron expected to operate on the flanks.

Oscar Romero, who is four caps away from making his 50th international appearance, could start in the number 10 role, in front of Richard Sanchez and Gaston Gimenez, who may play in deeper central midfield positions.

Uruguay possible starting lineup:

Muslera; Caceres, Gimenez, Godin, Vina; Nandez, Torreira, Bentancur, De La Cruz; Rodriguez, Suarez

Paraguay possible starting lineup:

Silva; Espinola, Balbuena, Gomez, Alonso; Sanchez, G. Gimenez; O. Romero; A. Romero, Gonzalez Espinola, Almiron