Paraguay vs Peru Prediction & Betting Tips - World Cup

Prediction published on 06/09/2023, 15:55  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 07/09/2023 at 10:30 in World Cup Prediction

Gameweek one in the CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifiers will see Paraguay playing host to Peru on Friday evening. Of the ten teams competing, six will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the side in seventh will head to a playoff round. The hosts failed to qualify for the last World Cup as they finished eighth in the previous qualifying competition. Since then, they have played nine friendly matches and recorded three wins, two draws, and four losses. Their last match was a 2-0 win over Nicaragua in June, which ended a three-match losing streak. However, their home record is much better as they are unbeaten in their last four and have lost just twice in their last ten matches. Paraguay are ranked 49th according to FIFA and have not reached a World Cup main draw since 2010. 

Meanwhile, Peru finished fifth in the last CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, barely missing the automatic qualification places but earning a playoff spot. However, they were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by Australia on penalties. With the competition now expanded and the top six being allowed to qualify, Peru will feel they are in with a real chance. They last played in a World Cup in 2018 in Russia. The visitors lost their last match 4-1 to Japan, taking their record to three wins, one draw, and two losses in their last six. This opponent is no stranger to Peru, as they have met five times in the last four years. The White and Reds are unbeaten in that time, winning on three occasions and drawing once. However, each of those three wins were on home soil, which could be a factor in this one.