Paraguay vs Uruguay

On Thursday night, Paraguay hosts Uruguay in South American qualifying for Qatar 2022. The clash is potentially vital for both teams’ chances of qualifying for the World Cup.

Paraguay

Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s team have their work cut out to even make the qualifying play-off spot after a poor campaign so far. La Albirroja are four points off both fourth-place and fifth-place with just four games remaining in qualifying.

Paraguay head into this clash on the back of just one win in their last 12 World Cup qualifiers. Last time out, they at least stopped a three-game losing run by picking up a creditable 0-0 draw in Colombia.

They have also struggled for home wins in qualifying, winning just one of their last nine qualifiers on home soil.

Uruguay

La Celeste have rather underwhelmed in World Cup qualifying and current sit seventh-place in the group, a point outside both the last automatic qualification spot and the play-off berth. A win in this game could well change the complexion of things completely for Diego Alonso’s team.

However, their recent form in qualifying has been woeful, as they are winless in five matches, having lost their last four qualifiers. Strangely for a team who can call on the likes of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, Uruguay have failed to score in four of their last five qualifiers.

The visitors have also failed to win in five away qualifiers, having suffered three straight defeats on their travels in qualifying for the World Cup.

Paraguay vs Uruguay Team News

Paraguay have no reported injury issues. Experienced midfielder Celso Ortiz was cut from the preliminary squad. Uruguay are without the injured Sergio Rocket. The visitors have omitted several notable players from the preliminary squad, including striker Cristhian Stuani, Maxi Gomez and Jonathan Rodriguez.