Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Signing off their respective World Cup qualifying adventure in the early hours of Wednesday, Paraguay will travel to Lima when they meet Peru.
Peru
Starting with the hosts, last seen over the weekend putting in another woeful performance as they slumped to a routine 3-0 drumming at the hands of Uruguay, Peru have come under a tremendous amount of scrutiny over recent times. Only putting 12 points on the board from their 17 World Cup qualifying appearances, Oscar Ibanez’s camp have also recorded just a single competitive victory over the past 11 months. Playing out consecutive 0-0 stalemates against Ecuador and Colombia back in June, La Bicolor have also gained an unwanted reputation for their glaring attacking struggles. Including a 1-0 loss against Venezuela on March 26th, Peru have failed to find the net in over 360 minutes of action. It should also be highlighted, Wednesday’s hosts have drawn a blank in seven of their previous eight qualifying showdowns.
Peru Team News
While there might have been some speculation over Yoshimar Yotun’s international future over the past year, the veteran midfielder will lead out Peru on Wednesday and will earn an astonishing 130th international cap here.
Making his move to Copenhagen a permeant one this summer, Marcos Lopez will start at left-back. Now in his seventh campaign with MLS outfit Orlando City, Pedro Gallese will start between the sticks in midweek.
Paraguay
As for the visitors, although Paraguay might have endured a public Copa America nightmare last year as they lost all of their three group stage appearances, Los Guaranies have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. Already wrapping up a top-six finish ahead of their World Cup qualifying finale in the early hours of Wednesday, Gustavo Alfaro’s side have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across South America. Despite marking their return over the weekend with a 0-0 stalemate at home against Ecuador, the former Costa Rica boss should find the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Including a stellar 2-0 win against Uruguay on June 6th, Paraguay have lost just one of their last 11 appearances. With a close-fought 1-0 defeat against Brazil their only minor blip since July 2024, Wednesday’s guests have also impressed with their gritty defensive steel.
Paraguay Team News
While Julio Enciso might have joined French outfit Strasbourg last week, the ex-Brighton starlet is still dealing with an injury issues and has not been included in Paraguay’s squad. However, former Newcastle ace Miguel Almiron will feature on Wednesday and will earn a 70th international cap here.
Completing a permanent switch to Premier League returners Sunderland over the summer, Omar Alderete will start at the heart of Alfaro’s defence. Despite waiting to notch a maiden Serie A strike for Cremonese since opening up the 2025/26 campaign, Antonio Sanabria should keep his spot leading the line.
Peru vs Paraguay Key Factors to Consider
- When Peru and Paraguay last met back in June 2024, Wednesday’s opponents played out an uneventful 0-0 stalemate.
- Peru have failed to find the net in any of their previous four consecutive World Cup qualifying showdowns.
- Likewise, the Bicolour have drawn a blank in seven of their last eight appearances.
- Four of Paraguay’s last five qualifying matchups have finished with under 2.5 goals.
- The last three meetings between Peru and Paraguay have produced just a single strike at both ends of the pitch.
Conclusion
Watching Peru and Paraguay play out an uneventful 0-0 stalemate when they last met back in June 2024, don’t be surprised to see chances come at a real premium in the early hours of Wednesday. In fact, with each of their last two meetings finishing in a goalless draw, it is no surprise that the qualifying rivals have a habit of producing incredibly nervy affairs. In fact, with the previous three showdowns between Peru and Paraguay producing just a single strike at both ends of the pitch, we are expecting a similar toothless battle in the early hours of Wednesday.
Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Dachbet
