Bolivia vs Paraguay Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

The CONMEBOL South America World Cup qualifiers are coming thick and fast and South American expert Nathan Joyes puts forward his Bolivia vs Paraguay prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview. 

After two heavy defeats on the road, Bolivia return to their home, where they’ve won their last three World Cup qualifiers. A win against high-flying Paraguay could lift them into the all important seventh spot.

• Bolivia vs Paraguay Tip 1: Bolivia to win
• Bolivia vs Paraguay Tip 2: BTTS No and Under 4 Goals
• Bolivia vs Paraguay Tip 3: Carmelo Algaranaz to score anytime

Bolivia vs Paraguay Prediction 1: Home advantage key

Bolivia, World Cup Qualifiers, Tuesday, November 19th, 21:00 (UK)

By now it is no secret that Bolivia’s altitude advantage is why they are in the position they are. However, the decision to move their home matches from La Paz to El Alto has increased the altitude from 3,500m above sea level to 4,200m.

They’ve won both matches since the move, including toppling Colombia last time out, ending their 28 match unbeaten run. More impressively, they’ve won all three matches without conceding, as new head coach Oscar Villagas continues to move his side in the right direction.

Admittedly, they’ve been poor on the road, and that’s highly unlikely to change. If they don’t let that impact them, they can continue to beat whoever turns up in El Alto due to the extreme conditions.

Paraguay head into this fixture in good form, especially having beaten both Argentina and Brazil at home. However, on the road, they haven’t managed to score a single goal in five matches, which is a real concern as they struggle at altitude.

• Bolivia vs Paraguay Prediction 1: Bolivia to win
• Best Odds: 1.72
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Bolivia vs Paraguay Prediction 2: Visitors to struggle

Three home wins in a row – without conceding – still gives Bolivia hope of qualifying for their first World Cup since 1994. As mentioned, Paraguay haven’t scored on the road – and although their home form has vastly improved under Gustavo Alfaro, there’s work to do on their travels.

Yet, two 0-0 draws against Ecuador and Uruguay have strengthened their claim to reach the next World Cup, who have proven difficult to break down, even if they’ve not created much outside of their own country.

Bolivia edged past Colombia by a single goal last time out at El Alto, who made life difficult for themselves with an early red card. However strong they are at home, they can often be their own worst enemy, who have received two red cards on home soil this qualifying campaign.

The hosts should prevail, but Paraguay’s stern defence may keep them waiting and this is unlikely to be a game full of goals with so much on the line.

• Bolivia vs Paraguay Prediction 2: BTTS No and Under 4 Goals
• Best Odds: 1.666
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Bolivia vs Paraguay 3: Experience forward the answer

So, who’s going to be the hero for the hosts? It’s hard to look past Kalamata’s forward Carmelo Algaranaz.

The 28-year-old scored in the 4-0 win against Venezuela, before following it up with the opening goal against Chile in Santiago. Algaranaz is Oscar Villagas’ preferred forward, and although he missed the trip to Guayaquil last week, he’s expected to be back in time for this crucial fixture.

All eyes were on young winger Miguelito as his superb strike was the winning goal against Colombia, but with the 20-year-old out injured, Bolivia will need to turn to another player in order to collect the three points.

Miguelito will be a huge miss, but Bolivia are still expected to dominate the ball, and take the game to Paraguay. If they don’t win at home, they won’t make the World Cup – it is that simple.

And Algaranaz is their main hope on Tuesday. The forward has clever movement inside the box, and with Paraguay struggling in the conditions, they won’t be able to keep hold of him for the entire 90 minutes.

• Bolivia vs Paraguay Prediction 3: Carmelo Algaranaz to score anytime
• Best Odds: 3.50
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Bolivia vs Paraguay Prediction odds via bet365 as at 18:00, November 15th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Bolivia vs Paraguay Team News and Possible Lineups:

Bolivia possible starting lineup:
Viscarra; Sagredo, Suarez, Haquin, Roman, Vaca, Cuellar, Matheus, Chura, Algaranaz, Terceros

Paraguay possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Alonso, Alderete, Gomez, Velazquez, Almiron, Bobadilla, Cubas, Gomez, Enciso, Sanabria

Bolivia vs Paraguay Match Stats

• Bolivia have won four of the last five home matches against Paraguay.
• Paraguay have yet to score in any of their last five away World Cup qualifiers.
• Miguelito scored the winner last time out at home vs Colombia.

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