Paraguay blunted Germany to progress to the last 16 at the World Cup and now the South Americans prepare for the ultimate test as they face the attacking powerhouse that is France in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Les Bleus tore apart Sweden in the last 32, cruising to a 3-0 win that easily could have been much more.
Didier Deschamps’ side have been the most impressive side in the tournament so far and can take out a Paraguayan outfit that has already conceded four goals in one game at this tournament.
We’ve assessed the Paraguay vs France market for a Bet Builder, which pays out at 11/1 if successful in the World Cup betting market.
Paraguay v France Bet Builder Tips
France -1 @ 4/7
Michael Olise anytime goalscorer @ 7/5
Bradley Barcola 2+ shots on target @ 13/8
Over 8.5 corners @ 8/15
Pays out at 11/1
Les Bleus a class apart
France are long odds-on favourites at 1/6 to win this last-16 contest and there’s plenty of appeal in taking them to overcome a one-goal handicap.
Against Sweden they had 25 shots, 12 on target and recorded an xG figure of 3.24. They have scored 13 goals in four games and have won each of those encounters by more than a single goal.
Paraguay, in contrast, were thumped 4-1 by the USA in their opener before a smash and grab 1-0 win over Turkey in which they faced 32 shots.
Their scoreless draw with Australia saw both teams content to maintain the status quo in the knowledge it would ensure progress for each of them.
They stifled Germany but had only 24 per cent possession and were aided by a predictable and laborious approach from Die Mannschaft.
Dealing with Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola will be an altogether more exacting test. The French procession should continue with another smooth success.
Leg 1: France -1 @ 4/7
Olise to get in on the act
Michael Olise warmed up for the World Cup with a hat-trick in the friendly victory over Northern Ireland but, so far, the Bayern Munich ace has not added his name to the scoresheet since the tournament started.
He’s had five assists and had 14 shots at goal already, including an audacious overhead kick against Sweden that was turned away by keeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
It seems a matter of when, not if, Olise scores his maiden World Cup goal and with France fancied to run riot, now could be the time.
Leg 2: Michael Olise anytime goalscorer @ 7/5
Barcola to pose plenty of questions
Bradley Barcola has no such World Cup goalscoring worries, the 23-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger having scored against Senegal and Sweden already. He also had an assist against Norway.
It was raining shots at the Swedish goal in the last 32 and a similar pattern can materialise now. Barcola had two on target then, including one off a brilliant mazy run that carved the Swedes open, and can match that tally.
Leg 3: Bradley Barcola 2+ shots on target @ 13/8
Paraguay appear to be cornered again
Paraguay have recorded possession figures below 25 per cent twice in four games and another draining defensive shift awaits them.
They faced 12 corners against Turkey and it was 16 across the 120 minutes of their last-32 success against Germany.
Three of France’s four games have landed on combined corner counts of nine or ten and, with a dominant display forecast, they may force Paraguay to defend a high number of flag-kicks.
Leg 4: Over 8.5 corners @ 8/15
