Bolivia vs Paraguay: Preview and Prediction

Bolivia vs Paraguay
2018 World Cup Qualifiers – South America.
Date: Tuesday; 15th November 2016,
Kick-off at 20:00 UK
Venue: Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz.

Bolivia are literally out of qualification race for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after their heavy defeat to Venezuela on 10th November. There are still 7 rounds left in the campaign, now they will be playing for pride in the remaining fixtures. Bolivia are last in the standings with 4 points from their 11 matches so far, managing just 1 win and 1 draw and accumulated 9 defeats.

At the same time, Bolivia had the share of bad luck as two positive results were over turned after fielding an ineligible player in Nelson Cabrera, who had previously represented Paraguay. A 0-0 draw against Chile and 2-0 win against Peru were reversed to 3-0 defeats for the mentioned administration error.

Paraguay on the other hand, were thrashed at home by a 4-1 margin by Peru. This was a fixture they were supposed to win and the shock defeat had dent their chances of moving up to the qualification zone. Their position in the table remain unchanged and are currently 7th with 15 points from their 11 matches. There is still hope in the camp as they upset Argentina by a narrow 1-0 win in their last away match of the campaign.

Bolivia vs Paraguay: Head-to-head stats

Bolivia are unbeaten in the last 6 home matches against Paraguay in World Cup qualifying fixtures. The last three are wins which saw over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring.

Paraguay earned a 2-1 win when the teams met in the first leg of the qualifiers on November 2015. Bolivia were leading at one point, but two quick strikes within 3 minutes completed a brilliant comeback win for the home side.

Bolivia vs Paraguay: Prediction

Bolivia are an extremely poor side and their morale will be at rock bottom after the humiliating defeat against Venezuela in the last round. They have little chance of making it to the World Cup and this is another reason that will affect their confidence coming into this match.

While Paraguay have a good chance to keep pressure on the teams around them. A win is must for them and as a result they are expected to give their all in this fixture. Paraguay haven’t won at Bolivia in a qualifying match since 1973. But they picked a win when they recently visited Bolivia for a friendly in 2011. So we can expect the visitors to be at their very best and pile further misery on the already struggling Bolivians.