- Turkey have won four of their last five matches in all competitions (L1). Paraguay have lost their only away fixture, including a 4-0 defeat to the USA. Paraguay have scored just one goal per game away from home during their current World Cup campaign.
High-scoring clash expected as two 0-point teams meet
Both Turkey and Paraguay have suffered setbacks in the opening round of fixtures in Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaving them 3rd and 4th in the table respectively.
Turkey thrashed North Macedonia 4-0 and beat Venezuela 2-1 in their final two matches before the Group D setback against Australia, but Turkey should have too much quality for Paraguay on Saturday.
Alfaro's Albirroja are a disciplined, defence-first team that sit deep and compact against good sides, trying to clog the middle of the park and punish teams on the break, and while they aren't always the most attractive to watch, they've found some success with this approach since Gustavo Alfaro took charge in February.
They have won three of their last five games (L2), but they have suffered heavy defeats on both of their travels this summer by Morocco and the USA.
Montella's Turkey are more proactive
Vincenzo Montella has got Turkey playing in a more proactive way with his 4-2-3-1 system, a possession-based approach that allows his creative players to get on the ball and make things happen in the half-spaces.
The ex-Sampdoria boss has his talented players playing on the front foot, creating overloads in the half-spaces, and pressing from the front when out of possession. Turkey can be explosive when they get into their rhythm, as North Macedonia and Venezuela found out, and they can force even the most stubborn of defences to make decisions quickly.
Alfaro's Paraguay will attempt to resist as much as possible, but the heat and pace of this game could get to them.
Alfaro's men will sit deep and pack the box
Miguel Almirón's pace and ability to exploit space is what makes Paraguay dangerous on the counter, but Julio Enciso is the creative engine that makes everything tick for Alfaro's side.
He has one assist in this World Cup and three in his last five appearances for Paraguay, and he could be a key figure in transition play on Saturday, but they will lack a consistent outlet up front in attack - Mauricio has scored one goal in one group match for Paraguay and will be their main threat.
Paraguay will sit back and try to keep Turkey at bay before trying to catch them on the back foot in the second half. Turkey will try to force the issue and we're expecting a high-scoring game at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, although Paraguay may struggle to get on the scoresheet against Montella's well-structured and aggressive press.
Over 2.5 goals is 2.17 and that's the selection for this Group D clash between two nations with a point to prove in the FIFA World Cup. A Turkey win is a favourite bet at 2.1, while the odds for BTTS - No are 1.84.
