USA vs Paraguay prediction, betting tips and bet builder – Balogun to announce himself on world stage?

It’s one for the night owls in the small hours of Saturday morning as hosts USA kick off their World Cup campaign against Paraguay in Los Angeles.

USA vs Paraguay best bets

• Folarin Balogun to score first – 5/1 with Betfred
• Both teams to score – 10/11 with BetMGM
• Omar Alderete to be carded – 12/5 with BetMGM
• Bet Builder: Balogun score first, BTTS, Alderete to be carded – 45/1 with Betfred

USA vs Paraguay head to head overview

USA vs Paraguay predicted lineups

USA (3-4-2-1): Freese; Freeman, M. Robinson, Ream; Dest, McKennie, Adams, A. Robinson; Pulisic, Tillman; Balogun

Paraguay (4-4-1-1): Gill; Caceres, G. Gomez, Alderete, Alonso; Bobadilla, Cubas; D. Gomez, Enciso, Almiron; Sanabria

USA vs Paraguay prediction

Commencing their Group D campaign at World Cup 2026, the USA and Paraguay will hope to make a positive start when they meet in Los Angeles on Friday.

In a group that also features Australia and Turkey, both the co-hosts and their South American counterparts will want to ensure they get off the best possible start and put one foot into the Round of 32.

Mauricio Pochettino‘s side were spared the effort of CONCACAF qualifying, gifting the Argentinian coach almost two years to plan and prepare for the tournament, but each match will matter from here on in.

Soon after bagging an impressive 3-2 win over Senegal, their final warm-up game ended in defeat last weekend, as they lost 2-1 to Germany despite Antonee Robinson’s stunning leveller. And accompanying acrobatic celebration.

Pochettino’s squad then flew from Chicago to California, where preparations began for their first Group D fixture – one which could set the tone for the campaign ahead.

Ranked 16th in the world, the Stars and Stripes are now set for a 12th World Cup. The last time the nation hosted the tournament was back in 1994. Where they made a run to the last 16.

Pochettino has publicly backed his team to surpass those accomplishments, matching the 2002 run to the last eight. He vowed the quarter finals would be the target’.

He told The Overlap; “The truth? A quarterfinal, it’s the target, no? [US Soccer] were very clear and I am very honest to you,” Pochettinho told Neville.

“I think that was the idea and the challenge. They know that it is going to be difficult. We are people that really believe we can. We think this talented group can perform better. So we accept the challenge.

There’s the goal to chase.

Paraguay have won just one of eight World Cup openers to date, while they have failed to win either of two previous games against a host nation.

History aside, La Albirroja’s are just glad to be making their ninth appearance at international football’s top table biggest, having finished sixth in CONMEBOL qualifying.

Led by Gustavo Alfaro – the third Argentinian coach to manage Paraguay at a World Cup – the undoubted high point was a 2-1 victory over world champions Argentina.

The last meeting between these two nations, doesn’t bode well for Paraguay. Alfaro’s men were beaten 2-1 by the USA in a friendly last November, but they have since won three from four, including last week’s 4-0 home victory over Nicaragua.

All in all the Paraguay represent a pragmatic team, content to cede possession and prioritise set pieces.

They do have former Premier League star’s Miguel Almiron and Julio Enciso in their squad, as well as current Sunderland man Omar Alderete. Few expect the South American side to go far, meaning they are not burdened by the weight of expectation.

USA vs Paraguay betting tips

Balogun red hot form to continue

Folarin Balogun has been clutch for Pochettino during his time in charge of the USMNT. The Monaco striker has scored in the victory over Senegal in May and the winner in November’s match against the Paraguayans.

He should get the starting berth as the number nine and could easily break the early deadlock.

No clean sheets

The USA haven’t kept a clean sheet since September, while Paraguay have kept the door shut only once in that time too.

Both teams scored in the November meeting and we’re backing the trend to continue on Saturday morning.

Alderete to be carded against USA… again!

Sunderland defender Omar Alderete had a brilliant debut season in the Premier League as the Black Cats grabbed a Europa League place on the final day.

But having been sent off against the USA at the end of the last year, the tough-tackling defender is one to watch for booking points here.

Trying to tame the lively Balogun, Pulisic and Weah. As well as the likes of Gio Reyna and Ricardo Pepi to call from off the bench. We’re backing Alderete to go into the referee’s notebook.

USA vs Paraguay latest odds

Find the latest USA vs Paraguay betting odds here, odds courtesy of BetMGM and are subject to change.

• USA – 10/11
• Draw – 12/5
• Paraguay – 16/5

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