Paraguay vs Australia Predicted Lineups & Team News

Paraguay and Australia meet in the ultimate Group D finale in the World Cup in Santa Clara (7pm local Thursday/3am BST Friday, ITV4). Both teams are on three points, both could qualify - but one slip could cost either of them a place in the last 32.

Here's a look at the latest Paraguay vs Australia predicted line-ups and team news.

Paraguay

Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro has one big decision to make with Miguel Almiron picking up a daft suspension courtesy of a red card in the 1-0 win over Turkey at the weekend.

Brazilian-born Mauricio, who came off the bench to score in Paraguay's 4-1 opening loss to the US, is the favourite to replace Almiron.

However, Santos winger Gustavo Caballero, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Portsmouth, is also a contender. A groin problem has seen Caballero sit out the first two group games, but he has returned to full training.

Ramon Sosa, another winger, has been dealing with an ankle problem and, while he did manage to come off the bench in the loss to the States, the Palmeiras flier sat out the win over Turkey.

Matias Galarza came in for Damian Bobadilla against the Turks and scored after 64 seconds so is likely to keep his place.

Australia

Socceroos boss Tony Popovic came in for plenty of criticism when he demoted wide forwards Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe to the bench against the US, after the two men had found the net in their side's 2-0 win over Turkey.

Both came off the bench at half-time against the host nation, though at 2-0 down the damage was done. Australia looked vastly better with the pair on the pitch, however, and they will surely start against Paraguay, which would mean Nishan Velupillay dropping to the bench, while Mat Leckie sits out as well having tweaked his hamstring.

The Aussies have one big call to make in their back five with right wing-back Jacob Italiano, who has started both games, picking up an injury. Jason Geria is expected to fill that role.

Paraguay vs Australia Odds

Juan Jose Caceres (Paraguay)

Paraguay's right-back Juan Jose Caceres is a man you would want in the trenches with you and he represents an imposing obstacle to the Australians down their left flank.

The Dynamo Moscow defender made five tackles against the United States, trumped that with nine against Turkey.

He made seven clearances in each game and has committed five fouls so far with one yellow card. Caceres is an uncompromising figure in an unyielding defence who Australia know is going to be a hard man to get by.

Cristian Volpato (Australia)

Popovic might have erred by omitting Irankunda and Metcalfe from his starting XI to play the USA, after the pair had scored against the Turks.

But it was another attacking sub, Cristian Volpato, who looked a real gem off the 'Roos bench against the USA and there are calls from Perth to Brisbane for the Sassuolo 22-year-old to get a start against Paraguay.

Volpato was only on the pitch for half an hour against the USA, but troubled them with six dribbles and a shot and looks a rare attacking jewel in an otherwise pretty dour outfit.

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