Verdict: Home win
Best Odds: 2/7
Bookmaker: bet365
France have established themselves as one of the top teams in Europe, and barring a major collapse they should not have problems to secure a berth in the 2018 World Cup. With that objective in mind, Les Blues will play against Paraguay this Friday, in a friendly match that will serve both teams as a test match ahead of the upcoming qualifiers.
France
France have been in very good form of late. Even though they did not win the 2016 European Championship, it is hard to deny Les Bleus have been one of the top European sides in the past few years. Led by an experienced core and filled with interesting young players, Didier Deschamps’ men are already considered one of the favourites to make a deep run in the upcoming World Cup in Russia next year. But there are things he needs to tune up, and games like these are the perfect scenario for that to happen. France have been very good of late, registering four wins and just one draw in their last five matches.
Team News
Even though this is just a friendly match, France will have a very strong side. The only two players that are out among the regular starters are Bacary Sagna – due to injury – and Raphäel Varane, who is still at Real Madrid ahead of the UEFA Champions League final this Saturday.
The rest of the side should be fit and available, which means Les Blues will feature a strong attacking line led by Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet, and Olivier Giroud.
Paraguay
On the other hand, the South American side will treat this game seriously despite some of their absences. Francisco Arce has been dealing with several problems to form a competitive squad, and as a result, the two upcoming matches (this one and one against Peru next week) will be played with an alternative team. Perhaps that’s the best idea for Paraguay considering their current form in the 2018 CONMEBOL qualifiers. With their backs against the wall and few chances to reach the World Cup, it would be wise for Paraguay to plan for the future. They need to develop their younger players if they want to contend for a World Cup berth ahead of Qatar 2022.
Team News
Los Guaranies will miss several regulars for this game. For example, Miguel Almiron, Juan Rodrigo Rojas, Jorge Moreira, Derlis Gonzalez and Paulo Da Silva are not in the squad.
As if that was not enough, Cristian Riveros is out of favour with the coaching staff, and both Nestor Ortigoza and Dario Lezcano resigned from the National Team after the latest round of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. Angel Romero followed the same route, so all signs indicate Paraguay will present an alternative side.
Key Factors to Consider
- France are riding a six-game undefeated streak in international friendlies, with five wins and just one draw.
- Their most recent friendly resulted in a scoreless draw against Ivory Coast on November last year.
- Les Blues have 5W and 2D in their last seven matches. They have not allowed more than two goals in each game over that span.
- Paraguay have played only two friendly games since 2015. Their last one came in May last year, and it was a 0-1 defeat against Mexico.
- Paraguay will play with an alternative side, as more than five regular players are not available for this game due to choice, rest, or personal decision.
Conclusion
Barring a major surprise, France should not have problems to secure the win in this game. Les Blues have the better team, are playing at home, and they have far more experience. The only question will be whether they will take this game seriously enough to escape with a positive result, but the likely scenario is that the fans will urge them. France expected to win with relative ease.
Verdict: Home win
Best Odds: 2/7
Bookmaker: bet365
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
