After the opening day draw against Costa Rica, Brazil will be extra keen to get a win on the board to avoid having a must win game against Colombia in the final match day. The Selecao haven’t lost to Paraguay in their last five meetings and have hit nine goals without reply in their last four encounters.

Although they didn’t score against Costa Rica, they still had seven shots on target and 19 attempts at goal. Paraguay will be concerned with the form of goalkeeper, Rodrigo Morinigo, who had a -1.39 differential in terms of goals prevented. The worry is with Brazil’s attack that they will create opportunities and there will be little room for error once again.

Paraguay have averaged 4.7 corners per game in their last 10 outings and have taken 3 or more corners in eight of those games. Brazil have conceded at least 3 corners in seven of their last 10. Although they’ll have to be cautious against Brazil, they showed an attacking intent against Colombia and landed three and Brazil will be taking a positive approach, leaving space for potential Paraguayan counter attacks and opportunities for some corners.

Paraguay received two bookings in their last game, although technically a third was given to coach Daniel Garnero at the final whistle. In what is almost certainly a must win for Paraguay, tempers will flare.

Chilean referee, Piero Maza takes charge of the game and averages 5.45 cards a game in his 1200 game career to date.

Paraguay have hit this line in four of their last ten games but with the stakes raised for this second game day match and with half of Brazil’s last 10 games having at least 2 yellow cards given to their opponents, there’s a good chance of this coming in.

With Vinicius Junior still not showing the levels he reaches for Real Madrid for the national side and the coach not quite ready to risk starting precocious youngster, Endrick, the forward line for Brazil is more reliant on his club compatriot to create opportunities.

Although he didn’t manage a shot on target against Costa Rica, he hit four against the USA and 2 against Spain in a March friendly.

He averages 1.26 shots on target per 90 minutes and should be expected to get a good run out in this game once again.

Although Allison didn’t have to make a save against Costa Rica, he was kept busy with six saves against the USA, two saves and two goals conceded against Mexico and Bento Krepski, who deputised against Spain had five saves to make as well as 3 goals conceded.

Camilo Vargas in the Colombian goal had two saves to make against Paraguay in their last match and Pedro Gallese had four saves to make in Paraguay’s match with Peru in March. Paraguay have to win this game and Brazil have shown a vulnerability in defence that means this has a decent chance of coming in.

Newcastle’s midfield dynamo has been in fine fouling form for Brazil. He averages 1.89 fouls per game and picked up 3 in the game against Costa Rica. He’s committed at least two fouls in seven of his last 10 matches.

Paraguay drew three fouls from the opposition’s central midfield in their game against Colombia and Tapia Cortijo and Lerma Solis who occupy a similar position on the pitch to Bruno both committed five fouls between them in recent games against Peru and Venezuela.

With Brazil pushing for the win and the Paraguayans ready for a scrap, Bruno Guimares will relish the chance to dominate the midfield battle, by fair means or literally foul.