| Outright Odds: 200/1 | | | | have found a good blend between the veterans of |
| Group B Winners: 8/1 | | | | yesteryear and the next generation of young talent. |
| Paraguay have qualified for their third successive | | | | With more firepower than recent Paraguayan sides, |
| World Cup finals, but like fellow South American | | | | manager Anibal Ruiz faces a selection dilemma in |
| qualifiers Ecuador, their route to Germany was an | | | | attack. The established strike partnership of Roque |
| inconsistent one. After leading the group early on, just | | | | Santa Cruz amd Jose Cardozo is under pressure |
| one win from seven games in 2004 followed. | | | | from Werder Bremen striker Nelson Valdez. |
| However, this was levelled out overall with eight | | | | Valdez could replace Santa Cruz who has recently |
| victories, four draws and six defeats, seeing them | | | | suffered a knee injury and has struggled to make an |
| finish in fourth position with a round of fixtures to spare. | | | | impact at club Bayern Munich during his six seasons at |
| Viewers will no longer be treated to the talismanic | | | | the Bundesliga side due to the fierce competition for |
| goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert, the veteran captain | | | | places. Valdez could partner Cardozo, who was |
| and dead-ball specialist who has now retired. He failed | | | | Paraguay's leading qualifying goal scorer with seven |
| in his attempt to become the first goalkeeper to score | | | | strikes. |
| in the finals but was superb at commanding his | | | | If Santa Cruz is also fit, Paraguay could cause some |
| defence in France 1998 which saw them qualify to the | | | | real problems for their opposition as he is strong in the |
| second round. | | | | air and has pace and skill. It is the defence which |
| One of Paraguay's main strengths was a water-tight | | | | poses the main problem as it is no longer solid enough |
| defence marshalled by Chilavert but this is not the | | | | as heavy 4-1 qualifying defeats to Brazil and Peru and |
| case any longer. Veteran centre back Carlos | | | | a 5-2 reverse in Ecuador showed. |
| Gamarra, with more than 100 caps to his name, will be | | | | Despite qualifying in their last two campaigns, Paraguay |
| 35 by the time the finals kick off and he lacks a | | | | could come unstuck this time around with England and |
| commanding stopper alongside him. While goalkeeper | | | | Sweden likely to reach the last 16 at their expense. |
| Justo Villar has exceeded expectations, he is no | | | | Recommended Bet: |
| Chilavert. | | | | Despite their attacking prowess, Paraguay could miss |
| However, Paraguay possesses a resilient team spirit | | | | out on a place in the second round with England and |
| which could see them repeat the heroics of France | | | | Sweden favourites to qualify. Check on the odds for |
| 1998 and the qualities which saw them into the second | | | | the match against Trinidad & Tobago as that |
| round four years ago. At the moment they appear to | | | | could be their best chance of success. |