™Outright Odds: 200/1
Group B Winners: 8/1
Paraguay have qualified for their 0.33 successive World Cup finals, however like fellow South American qualifiers Ecuador, their route to Germany became an inconsistent one. After most suitable the community early on, just one win from seven games in 2004 followed. However, this was once levelled out average with 8 victories, 4 attracts and six defeats, seeing them finish in fourth role with a round of furniture to spare.
Viewers will now not be dealt with to the talismanic goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert, the veteran captain and useless-ball specialist who has now retired. He failed in his attempt to turned into the primary goalkeeper to attain inside the finals but changed into supreme at commanding his defence in France 1998 which noticed them qualify to the second one around.
One of Paraguays essential strengths changed into a water-tight defence marshalled by way of Chilavert but this seriously is not the case any longer. Veteran centre lower back Carlos Gamarra, with more than one hundred caps to his name, could be 35 by the time the finals kick off and he lacks a commanding stopper along him. While goalkeeper Justo Villar has exceeded expectations, he isn't any Chilavert.
However, Paraguay possesses a resilient group spirit that could see them repeat the heroics of France 1998 and the characteristics which saw them into the second one round four years in the past. At the moment they look to have chanced on a favorable mixture between the veterans of yesteryear and the following era of young skillability.
With more firepower than latest Paraguayan aspects, manager Anibal Ruiz faces a alternative hindrance in attack. The known strike partnership of Roque Santa Cruz amd Jose Cardozo is beneath stress from Werder Bremen striker Nelson Valdez.
Valdez may just substitute Santa Cruz who has lately suffered a knee harm and has struggled to make an impact at membership Bayern Munich at some stage in his six seasons at the Bundesliga side simply by the fierce rivalry for locations. Valdez should accomplice Cardozo, who become Paraguays most efficient qualifying goal scorer with seven moves.
If Santa Cruz is additionally fit, Paraguay should intent some precise complications for their competition as he is robust inside the air and has pace and means. It is the defence which poses the foremost quandary as it is no longer strong ample bolatangkas as heavy 4-1 qualifying defeats to Brazil and Peru and a five-2 opposite in Ecuador showed.
Despite qualifying in their closing two campaigns, Paraguay should come unstuck this time round with England and Sweden possibly to reach the remaining 16 at their expense.
Recommended Bet:
Despite their attacking prowess, Paraguay ought to pass over out on a place in the 2d spherical with England and Sweden favourites to qualify. Check on the percentages for the healthy opposed to Trinidad & Tobago as that can be their splendid danger of achievement.
Paraguay to conquer Trinidad & Tobago @ half of