Paraguay vs Australia Bet Builder Tips: 8/1 treble for critical Group D encounter

Paraguay and Australia will battle it out for the final automatic progression spot in Group D when the sides meet at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Thursday 7pm local, Friday 3am BST, live on ITV).

Both sides have three points apiece after their opening two games, but are guaranteed to finish in the top three after Turkey’s early elimination, although neither can finish in top spot. Read on for my Paraguay vs Australia Bet Builder tips.

Paraguay vs Australia Odds

Match Result – draw

Given the state of play in Group D, it’s difficult to see anything other than a draw playing out in San Francisco.

Australia's superior goal difference means they sit second and there is every chance that a draw will be enough for both teams to advance, and I think Aussies have shown in their opening two games that they have enough to keep Paraguay at bay, especially since they’ll be missing Miguel Almiron.

Paraguay's main strength is usually their defence, despite what their matches against USA and Turkey may suggest – they conceded just 10 goals during qualifying.

So, let’s start this Bet Builder off by backing the draw.

Andres Cubas to be carded (Sub Switch)

Andres Cubas is the epitome of the classic Sunday league cliche “straight in from the first whistle, lads”.

Before the break for the World Cup, Cubas racked up five yellow cards in 11 appearances in Major League Soccer for the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The combative Paraguay midfielder hasn’t been afraid to get stuck in both of the Guaranies’ games so far, committing five fouls in each.

I think he’s been fortunate to avoid a caution so far at these finals, so I’m backing his luck to run out here.

With Betfred's new 'Sub Switch' feature, if your player gets substituted at any point in the match, your selection is switched to the next player!

Under 2.5 goals

As mentioned above, Paraguay’s attack will be stifled without Almiron, and neither side are known for their attacking exploits – the Socceroos managed just 16 goals in qualifying, while Paraguay netted 14 times.

In fact, Paraguay have scored one goal in four of their last five matches, and with a draw suiting all parties, I can see both teams setting up to avoid getting beat rather than going for all three points, which should result in a low-scoring affair.

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