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Singapore
ParaguaySingapore come into this one carrying the weight of a heavy defeat, still dusting themselves off after that 6-0 hammering by Malaysia in October. That result knocked them out of serious contention in their ASEAN Cup group, where they finished third with just three points and never threatened to reach the playoffs. Gavin Lee has used this international window to bring in some fresh faces and spark a reaction, which tells you everything about the mood in the camp. Paraguay, by contrast, arrive in Asia on the back of two clean sheet victories and with their confidence running high after some positive post-World Cup results.
The gulf in FIFA ranking between these two sides is about as wide as you can get in international football. Singapore sit 149th in the world, Paraguay are 33rd. That is not a small difference in class, that is a gulf. But international friendlies have a funny way of surprising people, and Lee seems determined to use these fixtures as a genuine test rather than just a tick-box exercise before the 2027 Asian Cup.
This friendly international takes place at the National Stadium in Singapore, with Paraguay midway through an Asian tour that also includes a trip to Japan. For Singapore, this is the first of two high-profile friendly fixtures during the break, with a meeting against Brazil to follow just four days later. The backdrop is preparation for the 2027 Asian Cup, with Lee openly framing both games as a learning experience for his squad.
Singapore have a few notable absentees to manage, while Paraguay are dealing with a striker problem of their own heading into this one.
Gavin Lee looks set to go with a front three built around Ilhan Fandi through the middle, flanked by Song Ui-young and Glenn Kweh providing width. Woo Chun Wei could feature after earning his first senior call-up, while recalled names like Saifullah Akbar, Joshua Pereira and Darren Teh add depth to the squad if not guaranteed starts.
Singapore expected lineup: Mahbud; Pereira, Harun, Baharudin, Stewart; Kweh, Shahiran, Nakamura; Song, Fandi, with the shape likely a 4-3-3 or something similar. For Paraguay, Alfaro is expected to start the experienced spine and let the younger options come off the bench. Miguel Almiron and Julio Enciso are nailed on out wide, with the midfield trio of Villasanti, Galarza and Bobadilla providing the platform. Benitez looks likely to get the nod centrally given Sanabria’s absence. Paraguay expected lineup: Gill; Caceres, Gomez, Alderete, Alonso; Villasanti, Galarza, Bobadilla; Almiron, Benitez, Enciso.
Singapore’s recent form makes for uncomfortable reading. The 6-0 loss to Malaysia was not just a heavy scoreline, it was the result of a campaign where they never really got going. Three points from their ASEAN Cup group, failing to reach the playoffs, and now their coach is talking about embracing discomfort and challenging his players to grow. That is admirable in terms of attitude, but on the pitch they have a lot of ground to make up against opposition of this calibre.
Paraguay’s recent form is a different story entirely. Back-to-back wins since the World Cup, where they were eventually knocked out by France in the round of 16 after showing they could compete at that level. A 2-0 win over Bolivia and a 1-0 win over Colombia with clean sheets in both games suggests they are well organised defensively and capable of grinding out results when needed. Miguel Almiron’s brace against Bolivia took him to 12 international goals, and the team looks confident and settled despite the ongoing squad-building exercise Alfaro is running.
The contrast in momentum could not be more obvious. Paraguay are winning and doing so without conceding. Singapore are rebuilding after a rough patch and have not played competitively since that Malaysia defeat. Rustiness and confidence are real factors here, and they both favour the away side.
Singapore and Paraguay have not met frequently on the international stage, so there is not a deep well of head-to-head history to draw from here. What we do know is that when South American sides of Paraguay’s quality have toured Asia for friendlies, they tend to get results, particularly against hosts ranked well below them. This is essentially uncharted territory for Singapore in terms of facing this level of South American opposition, which makes it a genuine measuring stick game rather than one with meaningful historical patterns to lean on.
This game looks set up nicely for Paraguay to control proceedings. The ranking difference is enormous, the form gap is real, and Singapore are playing their first game since a demoralising defeat with several key players unavailable. Paraguay are sharp, organised, and loaded with Premier League and high-level quality across their starting eleven. The question is not really whether Paraguay win, but more about how the game unfolds and whether Singapore manage to get on the scoresheet.
Miguel Almiron is the standout pick here. He scored twice against Bolivia in Paraguay’s last outing, he is in form, and he will be operating at a level well above what Singapore’s defence has faced recently. At the prices likely available for a winger to score first, he represents real value and is the most likely individual to open the scoring.
Paraguay have been winning without conceding, and Singapore’s defensive record in their most recent game was catastrophic. A 2-0 to Paraguay feels like the most likely outcome here. It reflects Paraguay’s quality and their tendency to be controlled rather than cavalier, while also accounting for the possibility that Singapore, at home and with something to prove, keep things relatively tight for long periods.
International friendlies often see referees allow things to flow, particularly when there is no competitive pressure riding on the result. Singapore may also try to be physical to disrupt Paraguay’s quality in possession, which could see one or two bookings for the hosts. Expect a moderate card count overall, with over three and a half cards looking like a stretch unless things get feisty, which is not especially likely in this context.
Paraguay have kept back-to-back clean sheets and face a Singapore side who have not looked dangerous going forward in recent outings. With Ikhsan Fandi absent and Singapore’s attacking options limited against this level of defending, it is hard to make a confident case for the hosts finding the net. BTTS No looks like the more logical call here, with Paraguay shutting up shop at the back while getting the job done at the other end.
Paraguay have won 2-0 and 1-0 in their two most recent games, which points to controlled, professional performances rather than goal fests. Even with the talent on show, Alfaro’s side does not appear to be in a mode where they are going for five or six. Under 3.5 goals looks a sensible call, with a tidy two or three goal Paraguay win the most likely shape of the final scoreline.
| Market | Selection |
|---|---|
| Result | Paraguay to win |
| Both Teams To Score | No |
| First Goalscorer | Miguel Almiron |
Paraguay’s clean sheet form, Singapore’s lack of cutting edge up front, and Almiron’s red-hot international form all point in the same direction and combine neatly into a single bet builder that tells one coherent story.
Gavin Lee deserves credit for framing this fixture as an opportunity rather than a chore, and Singapore’s home crowd will give them something to play for. But Paraguay are simply a different class of opponent to what this Singapore side has faced recently, and the squad Alfaro has picked still contains serious Premier League and top-flight quality even with rotation in mind. Singapore will work hard and may frustrate Paraguay at times, but the quality gap is too significant to overcome across ninety minutes.
Paraguay to win 2-0, Almiron to continue his fine international form, and Singapore to come away with some useful experience ahead of their Brazilian adventure a few days later. Prediction: Singapore 0-2 Paraguay.
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