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Impressive since the start of the tournament, the France team continue their campaign with the composure of true leaders. Didier Deschamps' men breezed through the group stage with three wins from three, before stepping up another gear for their first knockout match.
Against Sweden in the round of 32, Les Bleus delivered a complete performance, sealing a convincing 3-0 victory and confirming their status as the number one favourites for the title.
Defensively solid, sharp in the final third and driven by a fully fit Kylian Mbappé, it's hard not to see the French side reaching the final on July 19th at MetLife Stadium and claiming a third star.
But history urges caution: in 1998, it took a golden goal from defender Laurent Blanc deep into extra time to finally overcome Paraguay in the round of 16.
On the other side, Paraguay are one of the sensations of this World Cup. Third in their group after an opening defeat to the USA, a win over Turkey and a draw with Australia, La Albirroja looked set for an early exit.
But they tore up the script by knocking out Germany on penalties after a round of 32 clash of rare intensity, sending one of world football's giants home.
Behind this achievement lies the timeless recipe of Paraguayan football: a compact low block, collective discipline at all times and incisive transitions, all embodied by captain Gustavo Gomez, the leader of a defence that frustrated the Mannschaft for 120 minutes.
Paraguay now approach the tournament favourites with nothing to lose. But against a France side in full flow, repeating the feat would take something close to a miracle.
Paraguay v France: Predictions
Kylian Mbappé to score @ 8/13 with Bet365
France to win to nil @ 4/6 with Bet365
France to win + Under 3.5 goals @ 10/11 with Bet365
Odds courtesy of Bet365. Odds correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
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Kylian Mbappé to score
It's hard to imagine the French captain failing to find the net in a match of this magnitude. Brilliant since the start of the World Cup with six goals already, Kylian Mbappé struck again against Sweden and remains the main weapon in the French attack.
His pace and directness make him the ideal player to punish any Paraguayan mistake in possession, in a match where space will be at a premium.
Against a deep-lying defence, it's often a moment of individual brilliance that makes the difference, and the French number 10 is a man for the big occasion. A scorer in knockout matches since Russia 2018, he'll be determined to keep up his momentum after an excellent start to this World Cup.
Prediction: Kylian Mbappé to score @ 8/13 with Bet365
Explanation: For this bet to win, Kylian Mbappé must score at least one goal during the match.
France to win to nil
The French backline has shown remarkable solidity since the start of the tournament, as seen in the emphatic 3-0 win over Sweden. Shielded by a hard-working and well-organised midfield, the French defence has rarely been troubled, and Paraguay do not pose the most threatening attacking profile.
La Albirroja have scored just three goals since the start of the tournament, building all their results on defensive discipline and set pieces. Against a focused and disciplined French side, Paraguay's chances should be few and far between. A French win with a clean sheet looks the most likely outcome.
Prediction: France to win to nil @ 4/6 with Bet365
Explanation: For this bet to win, France must win without conceding a single goal during the match.
France to win + Under 3.5 goals
Paraguay showed against Germany that they can shut up shop for over two hours against a world-class attack. Sitting deep, disciplined and aggressive in the duels, Gustavo Alfaro's men aren't easy to open up, and every goal will come at a premium in this match.
France, for their part, look too strong to be held, but will need patience to break down the South American defence, just as they did in 1998.
A French win by a reasonable scoreline, without an attacking festival, seems the most logical scenario against this type of opponent.
Prediction: France to win + under 3.5 goals @ 10/11 with Bet365
Explanation: For this bet to win, France must win the match and the total number of goals scored must be three or fewer.
Paraguay v France: Match odds
Paraguay to win @ 14/1 (Bet365)
Odds provided by Bet365, correct at the time of writing and subject to change.
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