Brazil vs. Paraguay starting lineups, team news, score prediction: Ancelotti hopes for improvement

Coming off a major flop in his first match as Brazil head coach, Carlo Ancelotti searches for improvement as the Selecao return home to host Paraguay on Tuesday evening in a World Cup qualifier from Sao Paulo.

Despite the fanfare surrounding Ancelotti's arrival, Brazil managed just three total shots in a drab offensive display as they played to a scoreless draw with defensively stout Ecuador on the weekend. No doubt Brazil fans will have been expecting immediate improvement under the legendary Real Madrid boss, but instead they were treated to a utterly anemic performance up front.

Vinicius Jr. did his best to make his former Madrid boss's first game in charge a success, but he was unable to prevent yet another empty appearance in a national team shirt. The 24-year-old remains on just six international goals after 40 appearances for Brazil, as his putrid international record continues to grow stale.

Paraguay, meanwhile, are enjoying a run of exceptional form and will be truly up for this occasion. They sit third in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings, one place and two points above Brazil. They have enjoyed a long run of nine consecutive matches unbeaten, and took down Uruguay at home last time out thanks to a 2-0 victory.

With the top six qualifying for the 2026 competition automatically and seventh earning an intercontinental berth, it appears likely that both these nations are headed for a spot at the expanded tournament in the United States regardless of this result.

Brazil vs. Paraguay starting lineups, team news

After Brazil managed just three total shots against Ecuador last time out, Carlo Ancelotti will be thrilled to have Raphinha back from a yellow card suspension. The boss could also decide to give Matheus Cunha, possibly regretting having benched the new Man United playmaker from the start.

Neymar has yet to regain full fitness from his litany of muscle issues, while an injury to Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson keeps him off the squad along with Arsenal defender Gabriel. In fact, Brazil are thin at the back due to injuries to Eder Militao and Bremer, a familiar headache for Ancelotti fresh off a Real Madrid season full of fitness concerns.

Ancelotti's most notable absences from the squad include his former charges at Real Madrid, Rodrygo and Endrick. Also failing to make the roster are midfielders Lucas Paqueta and Joelinton, plus Manchester City's Savinho and Joao Pedro of Brighton.

Brazil predicted lineup (4-3-1-2, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Vanderson, Marquinhos, Ribeiro, Sandro — Gerson, Casemiro, B. Guimaraes — Cunha — Raphinha, Vinicius Jr.

Full Brazil squad

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Bento, Hugo Souza.

Defenders: Alexsandro, Carlos Augusto, Lucas Beraldo, Danilo, Marquinhos, Leo Ortiz, Wesley, Vanderson.

Midfielders: Casemiro, Ederson, Gerson, Bruno Guimaraes, Andreas Pereira, Andrey Santos.

Forwards: Antony, Matheus Cunha, Estevao, Gabriel Martinelli, Raphinha, Richarlison, Vinicius Jr.

MORE: A full breakdown of the USMNT roster for the 2025 Gold Cup

Paraguay have a fully fit squad available for selection, including Brighton youngsters Diego Gomez and Julio Enciso, the latter of whom scored the penalty late to seal their recent win over Uruguay.

La Albirroja will be without midfielder Matias Galarza who picked up a booking against Uruguay and thusly triggered an accumulation suspension.

Atlanta United star Miguel Almiron, having recently returned to MLS from his stint at Newcastle, was a menace against Uruguay and could cause Brazil problems out wide.

Paraguay predicted lineup (4-4-2, right to left): R. Fernandez (GK) — Caceres, G. Gomez, Alderete, Alonso — D. Gomez, Cubas, Villasanti, Almiron — Enciso, Sanabria.

Full Paraguay squad

Goalkeepers: Carlos Coronel, Juan Espinola, Roberto Fernandez, Orlando Gill.

Defenders: Omar Alderete, Junior Alonso, Fabian Balbuena, Juan Caceres, Ronaldo de Jesus, Gustavo Gomez, Agustin Sandez, Gustavo Velazquez.

Midfielders: Miguel Almiron, Damian Bobadilla, Andres Cubas, Matias Galarza, Alejandro Romero Gamarra (Kaku), Diego Gomez, Ruben Lezcano, Ramon Sosa, Mathias Villasanti.

Forwards: Gabriel Avalos, Julio Enciso, Isidro Pitta, Rodney Redes, Angel Romero, Antonio Sanabria.

Brazil vs. Paraguay score prediction

Brazil should manage more attacking intent with Raphinha back in the mix, but the road trip to Ecuador was such an utter disappointment up front that even an improvement will make it difficult for them to overcome an in-form Paraguay.

If Ancelotti wishes to put his side in the best position to win, giving Matheus Cunha a spot in the starting lineup would be a good place to start. If not, the Selecao appear doomed to another disappointing result against an in-form opponent coming off a quality result.

Prediction: Brazil 1-1 Paraguay

Brazil vs. Paraguay live stream, TV channel

This CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier will be televised in the United States on Universo in Spanish. That channel is available to be streamed on Fubo, who are offering a free trial for new users.

For all territories without a dedicated broadcast partner for this match, the game can be found streaming on Fanatiz or Onefootball.