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Kick off: 14 November @03:15 CET
Venue: Estadio Nacional de Lima (Lima)
Head to head record
Peru vs Paraguay 2-0 (2015 Copa America)
Peru vs Paraguay 2-1 (2014 International friendly)
Paraguay vs Peru 2-1 (2014 International friendly)
Paraguay vs Peru 1-0 (2014 World Cup qualifier)
Peru vs Paraguay 2-0 (2014 World Cup qualifier)
Peru
Last 5 matches
Peru vs Chile 3-4 (2018 World Cup qualifier)
Colombia vs Peru 2-0 (2018 World Cup qualifier)
Colombia vs Peru 1-1 (2015 International friendly)
USA vs Peru 2-1 (2015 International friendly)
Peru vs Paraguay 2-0 (2015 Copa America)
Team News
There have been no major surprises in Peru squad for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers vs Paraguay and Brazil, apart from the fact that in-form striker Raul Ruidiaz (10/0) returns after a two-year exile, and he is already pushing for a starting berth.
Important midfielder Christian Cueva (18/1) was somewhat fortunate to earn a one-match ban for the red card against Chile, meaning that while he misses the Paraguay game, he will be available for the trip to Bahia.
Veteran striker Claudio Pizarro has experienced some problems with his left knee, but the latest reports suggest he will be in contention. Juan Manuel Vargas, on the other hand, is a major doubt and he may be left on the bench.
Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Gallese – Advincula, Zambrano, Villamarin, Cespedes – Ballon, Lobaton, Yotun – Farfan, Guerrero, Carrillo.
Paraguay
Last 5 matches
Paraguay vs Argentina 0-0 (2018 World Cup qualifier)
Venezuela vs Paraguay 0-1 (2018 World Cup qualifier)
Chile vs Paraguay 3-2 (2015 International friendly)
Peru vs Paraguay 2-0 (2015 Copa America)
Argentina vs Paraguay 6-1 (2015 Copa America)
Team News
Paraguay coach Ramon Diaz has welcomed back Justo Villar (112/0) and Nelson Valdez (73/13) to the squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers after the duo missed the October duels through injury.
Argentine-born midfielder Raul Hernan Villalba has earned his maiden call-up, but AS Roma forward Juan Manuel Iturbe has rejected the opportunity to represent La Albirroja for the time being.
Roque Santa Cruz and Nestor Ortigoza were not included, but Lucas Barrios has recovered from a muscle strain and is fit to play.
Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Villar – B. Valdez, Da Silva, Aguilar, Samudio – Gonzalez, V. Caceres, Ortiz, E. Benitez – Barrios, N. Valdez.
IST Facts
-Peru have never lost to Paraguay at home in a World Cup qualifier (W4 D2)
-Peru won last three home games against Paraguay in all competitions, scoring 2 goals in each of those
-There were under 2.5 goals scored in seven of last nine meetings between the two sides
-Peru defeated Paraguay 2-0 in the third-place play-off at the 2015 Copa America
-Jefferson Farfan scored three goals in last three matches for La Blanquirroja
-Paraguay have yet to concede in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers
-The 1-0 victory over Venezuela in October ended Paraguay’s run of six years without an away win in World Cup qualifiers
[fixture match_id=”3970261752931158273856497″ type=”odds”]
