Paraguay vs Argentina Preview, Livestream, Team New and Possible line up

Copa America champions Argentina have won their last eight internationals on the spin, but that run could come to an end when they take on Paraguay in Asuncion.

It’s been a superb year for La Albiceleste, capped by their summer coronation as kings of South America for the first time since 1993. Their long overdue success was made all the sweeter by beating hosts, holders and fiercest rivals Brazil in the final, and the Argentines are finally looking capable of making a serious impact on the world stage again.

Qualification for Qatar 2022 will be a formality for Lionel Scaloni’s side who sit comfortably clear in second after five wins and three draws from eight, though they should face a bigger test than the odds suggest when they make the trip to Paraguay this Friday.

Recent meetings between these nations have all been tight, with the last five producing under 2.5 goals and generating just six goals in total. Argentina edged out Los Guaranies 1-0 in the Copa America group stage, but the four previous meetings resulted in a win for Paraguay and three draws.

With Paraguay losing only to Brazil in their five home qualifiers so far, we fancy the hosts to make life difficult for La Albiceleste again in this tie. Another low scoring battle is forecasted, and we’re backing the under 2.5 goals trend to continue alongside a goalless stalemate.

Paraguay will not be able to call upon David Martinez or Blas Riveros due to injury, while Angel Romero and Oscar Romero - both free agents - are included and ought to make the first XI.

Miguel Almiron will challenge the Romero twins for a spot in the final third, though, while Santiago Arzamendia could fill in for the injured Martinez on the left-hand side of defence.

Meanwhile, Premier League trio Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso - all of whom were at the centre of the Brazil quarantine fiasco alongside Emiliano Buendia - have all been given the green light to participate this month.

However, attackers Paulo Dybala and Sergio Aguero will both miss out due to injury, while Buendia has not been selected by Scaloni, who has preferred the likes of Papu Gomez and Angel Correa.

Lautaro Martinez and Messi should form the two-man strikeforce with Dybala and Aguero out of contention, while Lo Celso will hope to return to the left-hand side over Sevilla's Gomez.

Silva; Rojas, Balbuena, Alonso, Arzamendia; Villasanti, Gimenez; Kaku, O. Romero, A. Romero; Sanabria

E. Martinez; Molina, Pezzella, Otamendi, Acuna; Di Maria, Paredes, De Paul, Lo Celso; Messi, L. Martinez