South Africa vs Paraguay Predictions

Having hit something of a purple patch in recent times, Tuesday’s hosts should come into this fixture feeling good about themselves. Stuart Baxter’s men are currently unbeaten in nine matches, four of which they’ve won, though they will be looking to regain the winning thread having drawn each of their last two fixtures, the most recent of which was a 1-1 draw at home to Nigeria.

After their 6-0 thrashing (over two legs) of Seychelles, South Africa acquitted themselves well against one of the best team that Africa has to offer. Drawing against Nigeria, who acquitted themselves very well at the World Cup in Russia just four months ago, is admirable, especially since their performance on that occasion was a pleasing one. Against the Nigerians last time out, South Africa had the better of the game; they created that bit more than their opponents, while they offered more resistance at the back too. Such a performance bodes well ahead of this fixture.

In contrast, Tuesday’s visitors have been very poor in recent times. The Paraguayans lost against Japan last time out, conceding four in the process, while they were beaten by USA prior to that. Juan Carlos Osorio’s men have now lost each of their last three fixtures, while they’ve tasted defeat in all but two of their last ten. During that time, keeping teams at bay has been a massive problem for Paraguay.

Sometimes teams can be shipping plenty of goals without good reason, or despite playing well, though that’s not the case when it comes to Paraguay. It’s easy to see why Tuesday’s visitors are conceding plenty of goals. Against Japan they gave up 1.44 expected goals, while they gave up 1.69 against United States. Add in the fact that the away side recorded just o.4 and 0.48 expected goals for in those two matches and it’s also easy to see why the visitors are not getting results.

South Africa haven’t faced too many decent sides in recent time, but their performance against a Nigeria side that played well at times in Russia this summer was pleasing. If they can repeat such a performance against a Paraguay side that looked very weak against both Japan and United States, then the hosts can come out on top. With the visitors looking too easily cut apart and with them seemingly offering little at the other end, the hosts are the only team to side with at the prices.