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Kick off: 14 October @01:00 CET
Venue: Estadio Defensores del Chaco (Asuncion, Paraguay)
Head to head record
Argentina vs Paraguay 6-1 (2015 Copa America)
Argentina vs Paraguay 2-2 (2015 Copa America)
Paraguay vs Argentina 2-5 (2014 World Cup qualifier)
Argentina vs Paraguay 3-1 (2014 World Cup qualifier)
Argentina vs Paraguay 4-2 (International friendly)
Paraguay
Last 5 matches
Venezuela vs Paraguay 0-1 (2018 World Cup qualifier)
Chile vs Paraguay 3-2 (International friendly)
Peru vs Paraguay 2-0 (2015 Copa America)
Argentina vs Paraguay 6-1 (2015 Copa America)
Brazil vs Paraguay 1-2 (2015 Copa America)
Team News
Roque Santa Cruz (110/32) and Justo Villar (112/0) were left out of the Paraguay squad for matches vs Venezuela and Argentina through injury, with Dario Leczano the only new face on the roster.
Nelson Valdez (73/13) withdrew ahead of the Venezuela game through injury, with Raul Bobadilla (9/0) called as his replacement.
However, Bobadilla has now left the national team camp as well given that he awaits the birth of his child and he will not be in contention for the match against Argentina.
Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Silva – B. Valdez, Da Silva, Aguilar, Samudio – Gonzalez, Ortigoza, Ortiz, V. Caceres – Barrios, Santander.
Argentina
Last 5 matches
Argentina vs Ecuador 0-2 (2018 World Cup qualifier)
Argentina vs Mexico 2-2 (International friendly)
Argentina vs Bolivia 7-0 (International friendly)
Chile vs Argentina 1-0 (2015 Copa America final)
Argentina vs Paraguay 6-1 (2015 Copa America)
Team News
Lionel Messi, Ever Banega, Marcos Rojo and Enzo Perez were all unavailable for selection through injury, but coach Gerardo Martino has experienced even more problems after the 2-0 loss to Ecuador.
Lucas Biglia and Sergio Aguero picked up injuries in said match and are out of the Paraguay game, with Matias Kranevitter and and Carlos Tevez expected to deputize.
Ezequiel Garay has left the camp as his wife awaits is set to go into labour, whereas Pablo Zabaleta and Ezequiel Lavezzi are expected to be recalled to the starting line-up.
Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Romero – Zabaleta, Otamendi, Funes Mori, Mas – Kranevitter, Mascherano – Di Maria, Lavezzi, Correa – Tevez.
Interesting Facts
*Argentina have seen seven players from the original list withdraw. They are 3.75 (11/4) to suffer second successive defeat.
*La Albiceleste boast a 4-1-0 record in last five meetings with Paraguay. Away win is available at 2.10 (11/10).
*Both teams have scored in each of those five games. Argentina to win & both teams to score pays 4.75 (15/4).
