What: 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Who: Argentina vs Paraguay
When: Saturday 8th September, 2012, at 00:10 UK time
Where: Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba, Argentina

Continuity

Having started their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on a good note, two-time competition winners Argentina will be hoping to continue their streak as they prepare to play host to neighbours Paraguay in what should be an exciting affair for coach Alejandro Sabella and his team.

Argentina have had a very good record so far in the qualifiers, winning three games, drawing one and losing just one. At home, teams such as Chile and Ecuador have all witnessed the Albiceleste’s power, as their striking force has been very impressive, with Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi managing four and three goals, respectively.

The Barcelona forward acknowledged that his side have been improving under the tutorship of Sabella, while admitting that his team-mates should not take their upcoming adversaries lightly.

“Paraguay and Peru will be two difficult opponents, all the games in qualifying are difficult”, said Messi. “Against Paraguay we must have the ball and attack because we know they are a hard team.”

Better Performances

While Argentina are well on their way to making the trip to Brazil in 2014, Paraguay have had horrible luck in the CONMEBOL qualifiers. It is games like these however that could set the spark for the team to turn around their performances in a bid to make the game’s biggest upcoming festivity. However, that remains easier said than done.

Paraguay’s campaign has been horrible so far, as the team only managed just a single victory in five games, drawing one and losing the other three. Furthermore, just four goals have been scored, the fewest of all nine teams competing in the South American pot. The team’s last two games have been away defeats, so making it three in a row when they travel to Argentina could very well signal the end of their World Cup aspirations.

Knowing that the gulf in class between them and Argentina is too big to dismiss easily, a draw would be a fair result for Gerardo Pelusso’s side to take back home.

Recent form

Argentina:
Argentina 4-0 Ecuador (02/06; World Cup Qualifiers)
Brazil 3-4 Argentina (09/06; Friendly)
Germany 1-3 Argentina (15/08; Friendly)

Paraguay:
Guatemala 0-1 Paraguay (25/04; Friendly)
Bolivia 3-1 Paraguay (09/06; World Cup Qualifiers)
Guatemala 3-3 Paraguay (15/08; Friendly)

Players to watch

Argentina – Lionel Messi: The FIFA World Cup is still missing from Messi’s trophy cabinet, and it is this particular competition that has seen him generally fail whenever compared with countryman Diego Maradona. After a forgetful previous edition, the world’s best player will be finally hoping to lead his country to glory.

Paraguay – Justo Villar: Despite being 35 years old, Villar remains a key player for the Paraguay national team. Named as best goalkeeper in the 2011 Copa America, excellent displays on his behalf will be needed for Paraguay to stand a chance when facing Argentina. As captain, he must lead from the front.

Match Prediction

There is little chance for Paraguay to pull off a surprise in Cordoba. Argentina are superior in all aspects on the pitch and the home side should get all three points as their quest to top the group continues. Argentina 3-0 Paraguay.

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