Both Paraguay and Bolivia have made stuttering starts to their World Cup qualification campaign, picking up four and three points respectively from the opening three rounds. They'll both be eager to add to their tallies when they meet in Asunción on Tuesday. Paraguay head into the game smarting from a disappointing defeat away in Peru, while Bolivia will play on the back of an excellent 4-2 victory over Venezuela -- a much-needed win after five straight defeats in all competitions.
Paraguay vs. Bolivia 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch World Cup qualifying online
Bolivia head to Paraguay on Tuesday in search of their first ever win across the border.
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Paraguay certainly head into the match as favorites. They may well be without captain and all-time top-scorer Roque Santa Cruz, but they're still a team that can score. The Seattle Sounders' Nelson Valdez will almost certainly start, while 21-year-old wonderkid Derlis González will hope to be given a chance to shine. Plenty of their players are plying their trade in strong leagues across the globe; Bolivia, meanwhile, only have one player from outside their domestic division: IFK Göteborg's Swedish-born midfielder Martin Smedberg-Dalence.
Key player: Nelson Valdez (Paraguay)
In the absence of Santa Cruz, Valdez is Paraguay's most experienced attacking player. The 31-year-old journeyman has played for many clubs since first leaving Paraguay for Werder Bremen in 2001, including spells at Borussia Dortmund and Valencia. He's certainly not a prolific scorer, but with coach Ramón Díaz almost certain to give him the nod up top, Paraguay will be relying on him to hit the target.
Recent history
As with many games in South America, meetings between these sides are usually won by the hosts. This is especially the case in matches involving Bolivia, who excel in the punishing altitude of La Paz, but tend to struggle on the road. These sides have met 66 times since their first clash in the Copa América back in 1926, and never in all that time have Bolivia won away from home. It’s probably not about to happen here, either.
Match date/time: Tues., Nov. 17, 6 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay
Online: beIN Sports Connect (US)
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