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CONMEBOL 2018 World Cup Qualifying: Argentina vs Paraguay, Preview, Prediction & Predicted Lineup

| Oct 09, 2016 10:07 PM EDT

Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuaín.

Tournament favorites Argentina (4-1-4, 16 points) will look to continue their unbeaten streak in the 2018 FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL qualifiers as the team hosts middling squad Paraguay (3-3-3, 12 points) on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba for a Matchday 10 encounter.

Start Time and Streaming Info

The game starts at 8:30 p.m. UTC-3. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.

Argentina has not lost a game since their opening-round defeat in the hands of Ecuador last year. The team has currently drawn their last two matches after going on a four-game winning streak to settle at the fifth spot of the 10-man CONMEBOL table.

La Albiceleste was held to a 2-2 draw by lowly team Peru on the road at the Estadio Nacional in Lima during the previous matchday on Oct. 6, as per SkySports.

Everton center back Ramiro Funes Mori broke the deadlock at the 15th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at the half.

Flamengo striker Paolo Guerrero was able to level the count two minutes before the hour mark, but Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuaín scored a goal at the 77th to give the lead back to the Argentinians.

However, Sao Paulo winger Christian Cueva was able to find the equalizer with a successful penalty kick at the 84th to help Peru salvage a draw.

Head coach Edgardo Bauza's side played without team leader Lionel Messi for the second straight game as the Barcelona forward is still recuperating from a thigh and groin injury. He is expected to again miss this qualifying match against Paraguay on Tuesday.

Paul Dybala is set to take Messi's role in Coach Bauza's plans and Juventus' promising forward is expected to deliver as he had in the past.

Meanwhile, Paraguay was nipped by contending team Colombia, 0-1, at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción also on Oct. 6 as the team suffered its second consecutive loss, Goal reported.

Colombia dominated much of the match as Paraguay was not able to take advantage of the absence of Los Cafeteros captain James Rodriguez, who is also out with a thigh injury.

Monterrey midfielder Edwin Cardona entered the game at the 77th minute and scored the winning goal for Colombia in stoppage time, handing head coach Francisco Arce's squad another heartbreaking defeat.

Prediction and Predicted Lineup

The predicted result is a tough 2-1 victory for Argentina.

Argentina starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Romero; Roncaglia, Mercado, Demichelis, Rojo; Kranevitter, Mascherano; Dybala, Agüero, Di Maria; Higuaín

Paraguay starting lineup (4-2-2-2 formation): Barreto; Moreira, Gomez, Da Silva, Candia; Rojas, Riveros; Ayala, Romero; Benitez, Lezcano

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