- Australia are on a strong form run, winning 3 of their last 5 matches in all competitions (D1, L1).
- Paraguay have won 3 and lost 2 of their last 5 fixtures (in all tournaments).
- Australia have scored 9 goals in their last 5 games.
Pragmatic Paraguay set to frustrate the Aussies
Australia started their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D campaign with a solid 2-0 win over Turkey, 4 days ago, while Paraguay were destroyed 4-1 by USA on their way to picking up their first defeat in World Cup Group D, 6 days ago.
The Socceroos are currently 2nd in the group with 3 points from 1 match, while Paraguay are 4th with 0 points.
Gustavo Alfaro's pragmatic Paraguay side are a solid unit that play a compact 4-3-3 system, focusing on controlled buildup, selective pressing and looking to strike on transitions and from set pieces.
The Paraguay vs Australia preview highlights that Paraguay are slight favorites at 2.15 with Australia coming in at 3.45 for this fixture, but Paraguay will feel they have a good chance of securing a result against Australia here.
Paraguay's form since Alfaro was appointed in August 2024 has been mixed, but their away form has been a little shaky. The Guaraní have lost back-back away games to Morocco and USA, but are solid enough at home and Alfaro's tactical discipline should see them stay in the match and cause Australia problems in transition.
Our Paraguay vs Australia prediction is that this will be a closely fought affair, given both teams' recent results and tactical setups.
Australia should make this a tight game
Australia's gameplan under Tony Popovic has been incredibly proactive and direct since he took over in September 2024. Australia press high and are aggressive when on the ball, using their pace and energy to play a high-tempo, vertical game.
It is a recipe that can make them incredibly dangerous in transition, as their 2-0 win over the defensively-minded Turkey demonstrated, but their recent away game ended in defeat and they could be made to work for their win on Friday.
Mauricio is a good shout to lead the line for Paraguay after scoring 1 goal in 1 World Cup game, while Julio Enciso is an exciting creative talent and a capable playmaker, recording 1 assist in 1 Group D game and 3 assists in Paraguay's last 5 games.
Australia's Connor Metcalfe has netted 1 goal in Group D, the highest tally on the team, while Paul Okon-Engstler is an effective playmaker with 1 assist in Group D.
Nestory Irankunda has netted 3 goals in his last 5 Australia appearances and the Socceroos will likely need him to make a difference again against Paraguay, who are back at the World Cup after a multi-tournament absence.
This Paraguay vs Australia prediction suggests that, with this being an extra special game for the Paraguayans and given the tight nature of the contest, the 'Under 2.5 goals' market at 1.66 looks too short, but there is still value in Alfaro's side to edge this contest with a narrow 1-0 victory.
For those looking for more insight, our Paraguay vs Australia betting tips recommend keeping an eye on how both defenses approach the match and considering low-scoring outcomes.
