Germany came through the group phase with a game to spare but a surprise loss against Ecuador in their final match means the four-time champs will be on high alert as they face another South American side in Boston.
Paraguay were among the eight best third-place finishers, largely by way of a smash and grab victory over Turkey in game two of their World Cup campaign.
Julian Nagelsmann's Germany side will be pleased with this opening knockout assignment and can tee themselves up for a potential last-16 clash with tournament favorites France by dismissing Paraguay with little fuss.
Germany vs. Paraguay betting picks and predictions
Germany -1 (+120)
Germany scored 10 goals across three group stage games, though it has to be factored in that seven of those were against minnows Curacao.
They had to come from behind to defeat Ivory Coast and then surrendered an early lead in the 2-1 defeat against a hungry Ecuador side that bore no ramifications for Die Mannschaft as they were already guaranteed top spot in Group E.
Paraguay's tournament began with a 4-1 thumping from the United States in Los Angeles before they stunned Turkey with a 1-0 win in Santa Clara.
That was the ultimate smash and grab success as Matias Galarza scored after 90 seconds and Turkey had 32 unsuccessful shots at goal in a contest where La Albirroja played the entire second half with ten men after Miguel Almiron's red card.
Gustavo Alfaro's team then played out a drab scoreless draw against Australia that suited the best interests of both teams.
Germany have stuttered so far but are likely to go up a gear now that this tournament is getting serious. Their last knockout game win was the 2014 final in Brazil and they will want to correct that at the first time of asking.
Both teams have scored in six of Germany's last seven games, but Paraguay may struggle to create clear openings.
They scored just 14 goals in 18 CONMEBOL qualifiers and Germany should win this with some daylight on the scoreboard.
Felix Nmecha over 0.5 shots on target (+138)
Germany have had 22 shots on target across three games at this World Cup, a number clearly buffeted by the dozen they registered in the 7-1 romp against Curacao.
Despite that, it's a good tally and they had seven against Ivory Coast before perhaps taking their foot off the pedal in that defeat to Ecuador - some members of the squad have conceded the mentality was incorrect for that game.
Borussia Dortmund playmaker Felix Nmecha is a key cog in the wheel for Nagelsmann's side. He scored against Curacao and laid on Deniz Undav's winner against Ivory Coast with a clever pass.
He's had nine shots at goal across Germany's three games, with three of those on target and can land at least one more in Boston.
Card handicap - Paraguay -1 (+150)
Germany have picked up just a single booking across three games, Aleksandar Pavlovic having his name taken for a foul on Enner Valencia just before half-time in the game against Ecuador.
They committed just 15 fouls across the games against Ivory Coast and Ecuador and will dominate the ball for long spells in this game.
Paraguay began with five cautions in their loss against the USA and have added two more along with Almiron's red card since, with Diego Gomez managing to incur a suspension after his second booking of the tournament in the stalemate against Australia despite both sides seemingly settling for the outcome.
With the stakes increased in this knockout clash, there should be plenty of tackles and indiscretions and the South Americans may fall foul of the officials to overcome a card handicap of one.
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Germany vs. Paraguay odds
Germany | -333 |
Tie | +425 |
Paraguay | +1000 |
Germany vs. Paraguay player props
Anytime goalscorer
Kai Havertz (Germany) | +120 |
Jamal Musiala (Germany) | +163 |
Florian Wirtz (Germany) | +188 |
Leroy Sane (Germany) | +225 |
Antonio Sanabria (Paraguay) | +450 |
Gabriel Avalos (Paraguay) | +500 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
