World Cup 2026: Turkey vs Paraguay Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

Turkey take on Paraguay at Levi's Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area on Saturday, June 20, with kickoff at 05:00 CAT. Both sides lost their opening fixtures and arrive knowing that defeat here will almost certainly see them failing to advance from Group D. Vincenzo Montella's Turkey will look to their creative talents in Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz, while Gustavo Alfaro's Paraguay must tighten up after a chastening opening loss. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

Turkey

Turkey were disappointing in their opener but in my opinion, Montella's side still carry the greater individual quality in this matchup if they can settle their nerves. Hakan Calhanoglu pulls the strings in midfield and the creativity of Guler and Yildiz should give the Paraguay defence plenty to think about. The issue for Turkey has been a soft underbelly defensively, and Merih Demiral will need to lead the backline far better than in the opening game. With both teams desperate for points, I expect a tense and cagey contest rather than a free-flowing one.

Predicted Lineup: Cakir; Celik, Demiral, Bardakci, Kadioglu; Calhanoglu, Yuksek; Yilmaz, Guler, Yildiz; Akturkoglu.

Paraguay

Paraguay were well beaten in their opener and my read on this is that Alfaro will prioritise defensive solidity to keep his side in the tournament. They are at their best when compact and aggressive, with Andres Cubas screening the back four and Miguel Almiron taking the ball forward at pace. Antonio Sanabria leads the way up front but service was scarce in the opening defeat and that has to improve. Paraguay know a point may not be enough, so at some stage they will have to commit men forward and take risks.

Predicted Lineup: Gill; Caceres, Alderete, G. Gomez, Alonso; Gomez, Cubas, Bobadilla, Almiron; Enciso, Sanabria.

With both teams unable to afford another defeat, I expect a cautious game in which the first goal becomes hugely important. Turkey have the better attacking talent and should carry the greater threat, but this has the look of a tight, low-scoring affair. My forecast: Turkey 1 Paraguay 0.

BTTS: No (1.86)

I am backing BTTS: No and my read on this is that both sides will be wary of overcommitting in a game neither can afford to lose. Paraguay in particular will set up to defend first and their attack offered very little in the opener, while Turkey have the quality to nick a goal and then protect it. At 1.86 the value sits with a tight contest and at least one clean sheet.