France vs Paraguay Prediction, Odds & Match Preview

Below, bettors can find World Cup odds and a France vs Paraguay prediction for their round of 16 meeting in Philadelphia.

France vs Paraguay: World Cup Odds

France vs Paraguay: Anytime Goal Odds

Paraguay vs France Prediction

Based on Paraguay’s extreme luck in attack and France’s ability to defend well against better teams, my France vs Paraguay prediction is France Win to Nil (-140).

Paraguay opened the scoring against Germany on a Julio Enciso header. The South American outfit won’t be as lucky against the French defense, especially after going to penalty kicks.

Through four matches, Paraguay was extremely lucky in the attacking phase of play. Their goal against Germany came off 0.36 expected goals in the first 90 minutes plus injury time.

While they’ve scored in three of four matches, Paraguay has yet to play a top-five team by soccer’s ELO ratings. Over all four matches, Paraguay scored three times off 1.5 xG.

Now they run into a French defense that just kept a clean sheet against Sweden. Prior to facing Les Bleus, Sweden had scored in every group match.

The Viktor Gyokeres-Alexander Isak strike partnership hit a wall against France. Sweden, a superior attack to Paraguay, created 0.7 xG. Almost half came from 3-0 down.

France also ran unlucky in defense against Senegal during the group phase. Another superior attack to Paraguay, the African outfit scored off a 0.1 xG attempt in the 95th minute.

Paraguay’s lone goal in a negative game state came at 3-0 down against the USMNT. Patriotism aside, I rate the US defense miles behind the French unit.

Lastly, I question if Paraguay will get forward much in this match anyway. Entering the match, the powerful French attack will earn their full focus.

After a presumed concession, they lack the counter-attacking threats to expose France’s back line.

Those factors lead me to predict that France will end Paraguay’s dream run while keeping a second consecutive clean sheet.