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Back over 1.5 goals when Turkey take on Paraguay this weekend. Both teams will head into this crunch clash targeting maximum points, after disappointing opening game defeats.

There was no shortage of goalmouth action during Turkey’s World Cup qualifying campaign, with all six of their matches in the regular group stage producing over 1.5 goals. The same was true of the Crescent Stars’ two warm-up fixtures ahead of the tournament, while their opening game also delivered a couple of goals as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Australia.

As for Paraguay, they come into this encounter on the back of a heavy 4-1 loss to the USA. Another game featuring goals at both ends looks a strong possibility here.

It is also worth noting that six of the White-Reds’ seven friendly matches before the World Cup have produced at least two goals.

Miguel Almiron looks a strong candidate to commit at least one foul in this crunch clash. While the Paraguayan playmaker is at his most dangerous in the final third, he is also more than willing to put in the hard yards defensively when required.

Almiron committed one foul in Paraguay's opening defeat to the USA and was a regular on the referee's radar throughout World Cup qualifying, averaging 0.91 fouls per game. That trend has continued at club level, with the former Newcastle man committing at least one foul in three of his six MLS starts this season.

The 32-year-old is likely to operate in similar areas of the pitch to Turkey wonderkid Arda Guler, who was fouled twice against Australia and was drawing an average of 2.36 fouls per game during qualification.

Another player I'm backing to commit at least one foul is Hakan Calhanoglu. The Turkey skipper tends to find himself in the thick of the midfield battle, and that should certainly be the case here. Calhanoglu committed one foul against Australia on matchday one, while he averaged 0.97 fouls per 90 during World Cup qualifying, also collecting two yellow cards along the way.

He was also a frequent offender in Serie A last season, averaging 1.53 fouls per 90, while in the Champions League he averaged 1.07 fouls per game last term. 

Calhanoglu could find himself up against Mauricio, who came off the bench to score for Paraguay against the USA and was also fouled on one occasion.

I’m also keen on Hakan Calhanoglu to attempt two shots or more. The classy Turkish midfielder fired in no fewer than five efforts against Australia last week and was also regularly pulling the trigger during World Cup qualifying, averaging 2.58 shots per game.

Notably, Calhanoglu attempted multiple shots in four of his seven World Cup qualification appearances, including two in a home clash with Spain. He is also expected to be on penalty duties and is a specialist in long range free kicks, which further strengthens the case for siding with this selection.

It is also worth pointing out that the 33-year-old averaged 2.73 shots per game for Inter Milan in Serie A last season.

On top of all that, Paraguay conceded 16 shots against the USA last week.

Look for Turkey v Paraguay to feature at least four cards. There is plenty riding on this clash after both teams lost their opening game, so sparks could fly.

Paraguay’s clash with the USA last weekend produced six cards, with the South Americans picking up the majority of those (five). Their numbers during qualification also add to the appeal, with their matches generating an average of 4.23 cards per game.

It was a near-identical story for Turkey during their own qualification campaign, with their fixtures featuring 4.25 bookings per 90 on average.

Referee Ivan Barton also adds to the case for cards, as he flashed 12 yellows and one red across the two matches he took charge of at the Club World Cup last summer.