Turkey vs Paraguay Picks and Prediction for Friday, June 19, 2026
Use Code SSWC Turkey and Paraguay meet at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Friday at 11:00 PM ET in a pivotal Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Both teams enter with zero points after opening-match defeats and understand that another loss would place their knockout-round hopes in serious danger. Turkey arrives after a 2-0 defeat to Australia despite dominating possession, while Paraguay was overwhelmed by the United States in a 4-1 loss. Turkey enters with a LWWWW record across its last five matches, while Paraguay arrives at LWLWW. With the United States and Australia already sitting on three points, this match could determine who remains alive in the race for second place. Find today's value with our free World Cup picks.
Turkey Preview
Turkey's return to the World Cup began with frustration rather than celebration. Vincenzo Montella's side controlled 72% of possession against Australia and finished with a higher expected-goals total than the Socceroos, but a lack of finishing quality left Turkey empty-handed in a 2-0 defeat. The result snapped a four-match winning streak and immediately placed pressure on this second group-stage match.
Despite the loss, Turkey showed enough to remain optimistic. Arda Güler regularly found dangerous pockets of space, while the midfield dictated long stretches of play. Australia was forced to defend for much of the match and relied on strong goalkeeping and clinical finishing to secure the result. Turkey created opportunities but could not convert them.
Turkey qualified through the UEFA playoffs with victories over Romania and Kosovo and entered the tournament carrying considerable momentum. The squad features a blend of experienced veterans and rising young stars capable of competing with most teams in this group.
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Güler, Kenan Yildiz, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu will once again lead the attack. Turkey knows three points are essential, and the urgency should translate into an aggressive approach from the opening whistle.
Injuries: No major injuries reported entering the match.
Paraguay Preview
Paraguay endured a difficult opening match against the United States, falling 4-1 in a game that was largely decided before halftime. Defensive mistakes proved costly, and the Americans consistently found space in dangerous areas. Paraguay managed only 35% possession and struggled to establish any sustained attack.
There were still a few positives. Maurício scored Paraguay's lone goal and Julio Enciso delivered an assist while remaining the team's most creative attacking player. The challenge now is finding greater defensive stability after conceding four goals in the opener.
Historically, Paraguay has been most successful when remaining compact defensively and looking to strike on the counterattack. That identity largely disappeared against the United States as Paraguay was forced to chase the game early. Expect a much more disciplined tactical approach in this matchup.
Miguel Almirón and Enciso will carry much of the creative burden in attack. Paraguay understands that a draw may not be enough given the group standings, but avoiding another defensive collapse will likely be the first priority.
Injuries: No major injuries reported entering the match.
Turkey vs Paraguay Pick
- Turkey Moneyline (-105)
Turkey's opening loss was disappointing, but the underlying performance was significantly stronger than Paraguay's. Turkey controlled possession, created chances, and spent much of the match on the front foot against Australia. Paraguay, meanwhile, struggled defensively throughout its defeat against the United States. The Turkish midfield should once again control possession, and the attacking talent of Güler and Yildiz gives Turkey the edge in chance creation. With both teams desperate for points, Turkey appears better positioned to bounce back and secure a crucial victory.
Turkey vs Paraguay Over/Under Pick
- Under 2.5 Goals (-135)
Both teams enter under pressure after opening losses, which often leads to a more cautious tactical approach. Paraguay is unlikely to expose itself defensively after conceding four goals against the United States, while Turkey may prioritize securing three points over playing an open match. Turkey failed to score despite controlling possession against Australia, and Paraguay generated only one goal while creating limited chances against the Americans. With elimination pressure already building, a tight and defensive contest makes the under the play.
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