Preview & prediction: Paraguay Vs Slovakia

Paraguay Vs Slovakia preview:

In group G, all 4 teams are on equal points. Losing a game here means so much pressure in the last game. Paraguay will take on Slovakia as a favourite. Slovakia was devastated by conceding goal in last 30 seconds of match against New Zealand. Paraguay also failed to impress me against Italy. They never played against each other.

Match timing: June 20, 4:55 PM IST

Venue: Free state stadium, Bloemfontein.

World Cup performances:

Paraguay: Paraguay drew with Italy due to a howler by goalkeeper captain, Justo Villar.

Slovakia: It failed to win against New Zealand by conceding a goal in the last minute of extra time and dropped crucial 2 points. But, New Zealand fought heard but Slovakian forwards struggled to convert chances.

Key players:

Paraguay: Edgar Barreto, Santa Cruz and Nelson Valdez

Slovakia: Vittek, Marek Hamsik and Weiss.

Squad analysis:

Paraguay team: Justo Villar (GK and captain), Claudio Morel, Paulo Da Silva, Julio Cesar Caceres, Antolin Alcaraz, Bonet, Cristian Riveros, Enrique Vera, Nelson Valdez,

Lucas Barrios and Santa Cruz

Despite its poor performance against Italy, Paraguay has one of the best forward lineup in the tournament. Its defence which was rock solid in South American qualifers is now conceding goals in warm-up games. Its performance in recent games is not giving enough confidence. But, Slovakia is struggling to convert goal scoring chances. Lucas Barrios who played well in warmups but struggled against Italy.

Slovakia team: Mucha, Salata, Durica, Skrtel, Pekarik, Strba, Stoch, Hamsik (Captain), Weiss, Kozak, Sestak, Vittek

Slovakia always try to play attacking game. Except against Costa Rica, its performance is not good in 2010.

Final analysis: On paper, Paraguay starts as favourite but Slovakia is famous for its attacking style of play. This is their first world cup tournament after becoming an independent nation in 1993. Absence of Oscar Cardozo will once again a problem in attack. Santa Cruz is not in great form. It will be a tight game unless Slovakian forwards waste their chances as they did against New Zealand.

We cannot underestimate a team (Slovakia) that qualified from tough European qualifying group that contains Czech Republic, Slovenia, Poland and Northern Ireland.

We can not underestimate a team (Paraguay) that stood second behind Brazil in tough South Amercian qualifiers. 

World Cup game Prediction: Paraguay 2 - Slovakia 1