{"id":16433,"date":"2026-07-01T08:58:52","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T12:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/?post_type=news&p=16433"},"modified":"2026-07-01T09:00:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T13:00:03","slug":"match-preview-paraguay-vs-france-07-04-26-world-cup-2026-round-of-16","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/world-cup\/match-preview-paraguay-vs-france-07-04-26-world-cup-2026-round-of-16\/","title":{"rendered":"Paraguay vs France: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Stats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

France’s title bid reaches the round of 16 against a stubborn Paraguay at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, July 4 at 5:00 PM ET \/ 4:00 PM CT \/ 2:00 PM PT, the winners into the quarter-finals.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a clash of opposites. France arrive as one of the favorites for the whole World Cup 2026<\/a>, having won Group I and swept aside Sweden 3-0 in the last 32, with Kylian Mbappe in the form of his life. Paraguay are the tournament’s great survivors \u2014 they came through their group and then stunned Germany on penalties, riding a remarkable goalkeeping display from Orlando Gill to get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gulf in attacking quality is enormous. France have Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise all firing; Paraguay have leaned on their defense, their goalkeeper and the odd moment from Julio Enciso. Paraguay will sit deep, frustrate, and hope to drag France into another shootout \u2014 a plan that has worked once already and cannot be dismissed entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

bet365 make France overwhelming favorites at -500, with Paraguay out at +1400 and the draw at +600. France sit near the top of the World Cup 2026 outright odds<\/a> board, and the market expects them to have far too much \u2014 the only question is how stubborn Paraguay can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paraguay vs France: Best Bets & Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The slate leans into France’s firepower against a Paraguay side that defends deep and scores rarely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Our Prediction<\/th>\nOdds & Sportsbook<\/th>\nConfidence<\/th>\nWhy We’re Backing It<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
France to Win<\/strong><\/td>\n-500 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(83.3%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nVastly superior in every area of the pitch, with Mbappe, Dembele and Olise all in form. Paraguay have relied on their goalkeeper and penalties to get here.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kylian Mbappe<\/strong> to score anytime<\/td>\n-163 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(61.9%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nThe tournament’s standout scorer with six goals off an xG of 2.61 and 13 shots on target. Comfortably odds-on and the shortest-priced scorer in the game.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Over 2.5 Goals<\/strong><\/td>\n-175 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(63.6%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nFrance have scored freely all tournament, and even a low-block Paraguay is unlikely to keep them under three if the game opens up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Both Teams to Score: No<\/strong><\/td>\n-175 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(63.6%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nParaguay have barely threatened going forward and France, with Maignan behind them, kept two clean sheets in the group. A France shutout is well backed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Correct Score: France 3-0<\/strong><\/td>\n+600 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(14.3%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nThe natural shape of a comfortable France win, tying the result, the Over and the clean sheet into one line \u2014 and it mirrors their 3-0 dismissal of Sweden.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our approach: anchor on France to win at -500, add Kylian Mbappe anytime, and treat France 3-0 as the natural scoreline against a low-block Paraguay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"bet365<\/a>\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tGet Offer<\/a>
\n Our Score<\/span>\n 9.5<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Read our review<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t

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World Cup Form & Route to the Round of 16<\/h2>\n

France reached the last 16 as Group I winners and then brushed Sweden aside 3-0 in the round of 32, a performance that underlined their strength in depth. They have scored at least three in three of their four games and look every inch title contenders.<\/p>\n

Paraguay’s route has been the story of the tournament’s resistance: through the group stage and then a penalty-shootout win over Germany after a 1-1 draw, goalkeeper Orlando Gill making a tournament-high tally of saves along the way. The France World Cup 2026 odds<\/a> and the Paraguay World Cup 2026 odds<\/a> could hardly be further apart, and for good reason.<\/p>\n

Potential Match-Winners<\/h2>\n