untitled-design-2024-09-09t195553-721.png
Getty Images

After resuming their World Cup qualifying campaign with a win over Ecuador on Friday, Brazil return to action against Paraguay on Tuesday with the hopes of winning a second game in a row.

Brazil's win on Friday takes them up to fourth place in CONMEBOL's 10 team World Cup qualifying table, firmly in the mix to automatically qualify for the 2026 tournament as long as they stay in the top six. They are just four points above Paraguay, though, who sit in seventh place as things stand and could enter the top six with a win at home on Tuesday.

Here's what you need to know before tuning in.

How to watch and odds

  • Date: Tuesday, September 10 | Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Estadio Defensores del Chaco -- Asuncion, Paraguay
  • Live stream: Fanatiz USA
  • Odds: Paraguay +600; Draw +270; Brazil -185

Storylines

Brazil have not fared well over the last year, having coupled a notably poor run of form to start World Cup qualifying last year with a quarterfinal exit at the Copa America this summer. Those troubles subsided somewhat on Friday, when they snapped a four-game winless run in qualifiers with a 1-0 win over Ecuador.

On trend with their recent form, their performance over Ecuador was imperfect. They had nearly 60 percent of the ball but took just 10 shots to Ecuador's nine, putting just three on target over the course of the 90 minutes. Rodrygo's 30th international goal provided enough of a cushion to keep Ecuador at bay and offered reminders that he might be one of Brazil's most reliable goalscorers even as Vinicius Junior takes the spotlight. The uninspiring attacking performance, though, refreshes questions about the team's offensive output -- despite their apparent attacking riches, they have scored more than one goal just four times in their last 15 games. It could be a problem against a Paraguay team that has conceded just three goals in seven World Cup qualifiers.

Prediction

Brazil will rightly arrive in the Paraguayan capital as the favorites and even if they come out of the game with all three points, do not expect an easy outing for the visitors. Having the likes of Rodrygo and Vinicius around could be enough but this feels like it could be, at best, another narrow win for Brazil. Pick: Paraguay 0, Brazil 1