Preview:Paraguay vs Ecuador - prediction, team news, lineups

Looking to book their place at the 2026 World Cup, Paraguay are set to host Ecuador for their penultimate CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier at Defensores del Chaco Stadium on Thursday.

Los Guaranies will be hoping to bounce back from their defeat at the end of the last round of internationals, while La Tri will be aiming for their first win in four matches.

Match preview

Gustavo Alfaro's Paraguay have not reached any of the past three World Cups, having last participated in the 2010 edition of the tournament.

However, Los Guaranies are now on the cusp of qualification for 2026, and they need just a single point to confirm their spot in next summer's finals.

In June's fixtures, Alfaro's side impressively beat Uruguay 2-0 thanks to a 13th-minute strike from Matias Galarza and a late penalty from Julio Enciso, though they did blank in a 1-0 loss on the road to Brazil most recently.

Regardless of that defeat, Paraguay are still on course to qualify automatically given that they sit fifth in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table with 24 points, six clear of Venezuela in the playoff spot.

Knowing the stakes on Thursday, Los Guaranies will draw confidence from their excellent home record that features five straight wins ahead of this clash, including a 2-1 victory over Argentina and a 1-0 triumph over Brazil during their qualifying campaign.

Additionally, Alfaro may be keen to earn the decisive point against the nation that he was sacked by shortly after managing them in the 2022 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Beccacece's Ecuador are set to compete in back-to-back World Cups for the first time in 20 years when they travel to North America in 2026.

La Tri secured their place in June with a 0-0 draw against Peru, their second goalless stalemate of the summer after an identical result with Brazil five days prior.

In fact, Beccacece's men have tied their last three games 0-0, failing to score in those clashes but extending their unbeaten streak to nine matches and earning their staggering sixth, seventh and eighth clean sheets in that run.

Playing on the road on Thursday, fans of the visitors may harbour doubts about their side's chances given that their team have only scored one goal across their five most recent away games, winning once, drawing three times and losing the other match.

Ecuador are playing for pride considering that they have already qualified, but the manager will be keen to try out his options and build positivity ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Paraguay World Cup Qualifying - South America form:

Ecuador World Cup Qualifying - South America form:

Team News

Paraguay will be without a number of injured stars on Thursday, including attacking midfielder Enciso, who is recovering from a meniscus tear, and Mathias Villasanti, who is working his way back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

In their absence, Alejandro Romero could start behind striker Antonio Sanabria, while Damian Bobadilla operates in a double pivot alongside Andres Cubas.

As for Ecuador, they will be without right-sided midfielder Alan Franco in midweek as he serves a suspension for being sent off against Peru, and Angelo Preciado could take his place.

Elsewhere, La Tri's excellent backline of Joel Ordonez, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie and Pervis Estupinan should start once again, looking for yet another clean sheet.

Paraguay possible starting lineup:

Fernandez; Caceres, G Gomez, Alderete, Alonso; Cubas, Bobadilla; D Gomez, Romero, Almiron; Sanabria

Ecuador possible starting lineup:

Valle; Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie, Estupinan; Preciado, Caicedo, Vite, Angulo; Yeboah, Rodriguez

We say: Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador

Paraguay only need a point to qualify, and while they would like the win, they could be cautious on Thursday.

Ecuador have been lacklustre offensively, and they could struggle to score in midweek, though their rock-solid defence should see them keep a ninth clean sheet in 10 games.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.