Paraguay Struggling to Score in World Cup Qualifiers

Rodrygo Has Chip on His Shoulder

On Tuesday, Brazil are going for back-to-back wins in World Cup Qualifying for the first time since last September. Brazil, coming off a 1-0 victory over Ecuador last Friday, now head to Paraguay, who have only won one of their first seven qualifiers. 

After failing to earn a nomination for the Ballon d’Or, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo is a man on a mission and he scored Brazil’s winner against Ecuador. Dorival Junior will undoubtedly rely on him and club teammate Vinicius Jr. for moments of magic in Asunción on Tuesday.

Stay tuned for our Paraguay vs Brazil betting preview and Top Soccer Bet for the match. 

Match Info:

Match: Paraguay vs Brazil

Location: Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay                                                             

Date & Time: Tuesday, September 10th, 8:30 p.m. ET

Paraguay vs Brazil Betting Preview: Head-to-Head

• The last meeting, at the Copa America, finished 4-1 in favor of Brazil as Vinicius Junior scored twice. 
• Brazil are on a three game winning streak against Paraguay in World Cup Qualifiers. 
• Brazil are unbeaten in each of the last six meetings between the two sides.
• Paraguay last defeated Brazil in a 90-minute match in a 2008 World Cup Qualifier.
• Paraguay have scored just one goal in their last five games against Brazil, in all competitions. 
• Brazil lead the all-time series 51-13, with 19 draws. 

Paraguay Scoreless in Last Three Qualifiers

World Cup Qualifying Standings/Form: 

• 1-3-3 (7th)
• Last Five WCQ Matches: D, L, D, W, L

Former Costa Rica coach Gustavo Alfaro has taken charge of Paraguay’s World Cup Qualifying campaign. 

The news followed Paraguay’s horrific 0-3 Copa America performance, where Daniel Garnero’s group finished in last place in Group D. 

In Alfaro’s first match in charge, Paraguay managed to grab a scoreless draw at Uruguay. 

Granted, Uruguay players Darwin Nuñez, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mathias Olivera, Ronald Araujo and Jose Gimenez were all suspended. 

Here, Paraguay defender Gustavo Gomez will serve a one game suspension of his own.

Paraguay have won only one of their seven 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers so far, with a 1-3-3 record. Even so, they have been a difficult team to beat. 

While Paraguay’s offense has been abysmal and has scored just once in seven matches, even with players like Miguel Almiron and Julio Enciso, Paraguay have only conceded three times.

In fact, Paraguay have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four qualifiers. 

Brazil Grab Much Needed Victory

World Cup Qualifying Standings/Form: 

• 3-1-3 (4th)
• Last Five WCQ Matches: W, L, L, L, D

Brazil’s first World Cup Qualifier of 2024 ended in a much-needed victory. Rodrygo’s deflected 30th minute strike powered the Seleção to a 1-0 win over Ecuador. 

Rodrygo’s Ballon d’Or dream was crushed last week and the versatile attacker is not happy about it. In an interview on Sunday, Rodrygo told ESPN, “ “I don’t want to belittle the players who are there, but I think I had a place in the 30.”

He’ll be using the snub as fuel and midfielder Lucas Paqueta is the only player in Dorival Junior’s squad with more international goals than the Real Madrid man.

Meanwhile, Vini Jr.’s stats in a Brazil shirt have been somewhat disappointing. The Ballon d’Or favorite has found the net just five times in 34 appearances but did score twice against Paraguay a few months ago. 

While Brazil did lose three straight qualifiers under Fernando Diniz last year, they are an unbeaten 4-5-0 under Dorival Junior, in all competitions. 

Paraguay vs Brazil Betting Preview: Prediction

Brazil have undoubtedly lost some of their flair in recent years but that doesn’t mean they’re lacking in quality. The center back pairing of Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos should be able to shut down Paraguay’s attack. 

In Brazil’s last match, Gabriel made a crucial goal line clearance to preserve Brazil’s lead and he’s also come through time and time again for Arsenal. 

Rodrygo is the one to watch for Brazil here. Meanwhile, we could see Marseille’s Luiz Henrique get another start on the right wing and Vini flanking Rodrygo on the left. 

As of the time of writing, BetRivers had the best price, on the legal USA market, on a Brazil victory. Brazil to win sits at -175 odds and its our Top Soccer Bet of the match. 

Bettors should feel confident in Brazil’s ability to grab a fourth straight win over Paraguay in World Cup Qualifiers. We’d also consider taking under 2.5 goals at -155 odds at Bet365. 

Especially since none of Paraguay’s World Cup Qualifiers have finished with more than one goal so far.  

Pick: Brazil (-175)