Paraguay vs France Prediction: A fourth brace in five for Mbappe

Paraguay and France have experienced very different routes to the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Paraguay finished third in Group D, winning just once, before drawing 1-1 with Germany in their round-of-32 tie and triumphing 4-3 on penalties. France, meanwhile, won all three games in Group I, scoring 10 goals - and conceding just twice - before coasting past Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32.

Below are my Paraguay vs France predictions, alongside all the latest team news and match odds, ahead of Saturday's game between the two at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (5pm local, 10pm BST).

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Team News

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Diego Gomez is back available for Paraguay after serving a suspension against Germany. Head coach Gustavo Alfaro could start him on Saturday ahead of Damian Bobadilla.

Sunderland defender Omar Alderete is doubtful after missing out on Monday with a knee injury.

World Cup Odds

France boss Didier Deschamps doesn't have any suspensions to contend with, and only one injury doubt, Marcus Thuram (calf), but he may make one or two changes to his starting XI.

Lucas Digne and Theo Hernandez have rotated at left back, starting two games each, and so the latter may return to the lineup on Saturday.

Bradley Barcola and Aurelien Tchouameni will hope to keep their places ahead of Desire Doue and Manu Kone, respectively.

Paraguay vs France Odds

Paraguay are 16/1 underdogs in regulation time, implying a 5.9% probability of success, with France 2/11 favourites (84.6%), and the draw, which would send the tie to extra-time, offered at 11/2.

Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven: Get DOUBLE or TREBLE the odds if your winning First Goalscorer bet scores a second and third.

Player To Score From Outside The Box - Michael Olise (FRA) @ 11/2

Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele have dominated the scoring charts for France, netting six and four times, respectively, so far, while Michael Olise is yet to find the net in North America, instead leading the assist charts with five.

It's not been for the want of trying, though, as Olise has recorded 14 efforts across his four World Cup appearances, registering five shots on target.

The 24-year-old has shot six times outside the box, forcing a save from the goalkeeper with half (three). Two of his three shots on target against Sweden last time out came from distance, and he has shown for club and country that he can execute accurately from outside the box.

The Bayern Munich star hit a hat-trick in Lea Bleus' 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in their final pre-World Cup friendly on 8 June, and his third and final goal was from around 25 yards out.

I think Paraguay could be an unfortunate victim on Saturday as Olise finally gets his shooting boots on.

Player to score 2 or more goals - Kylian Mbappe (FRA) @ 21/10

Mbappe is yet to hit a hat-trick at this World Cup, but he has three braces to his name in four appearances, which is quite some going.

The 27-year-old looks to be in a Golden Boot battle with Argentina's Lionel Messi, England's Harry Kane, Norway's Erling Haaland, Brazil's Vinicius Jr. and his own teammate, Dembele, so he will be desperate to keep on scoring in his bid to become top scorer at back-to-back World Cups.

Paraguay have only conceded twice across their last three games, but they shipped four goals in a 4-1 defeat to the USA in their first group match, with Stars and Stripes striker Folarin Balogun netting twice, and there's no reason to think that Real Madrid superstar Mbappe, who is in electric form for Les Bleus, can't repeat that feat on Saturday.