The Socceroos will be out to build some momentum ahead of the World Cup play-offs when they face Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning (AEDT).
A 2-0 defeat to Japan last time out means Australia will finish third in their group and must now navigate the play-offs in June to secure a place in Qatar.
That result also saw Saudi Arabia book their place at the World Cup with little on the line in this qualifier.
The Socceroos, however, will be desperate to return to winning ways having claimed victory in just one of their last six games.
Socceroos vs Saudi Arabia match details: Kick-off time, stadium and broadcaster
| Game | How to watch | Venue | Date (AEDT) | Time (AEDT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia vs Australia | Channel 10, 10 Play, Paramount+ | King Abdullah Sports City | Wed Mar 30 | 5.00am |
Neither of these sides could find the back of the net the last time they faced off in November last year.
Australia has dominated this fixture in the past though, winning three of their last five matches and not suffering defeat across that span.
Saudi Arabia was held to a 1-1 draw with China last time out and lost to Japan 2-0 in early February prior to that.
The Socceroos recent record is similar, having lost by the same margin to Japan last week and were held to a 2-2 draw with Oman last month.
How to watch Socceroos vs Saudi Arabia in Australia
The Socceroos' game against Saudi Arabia will be broadcast on television via Channel 10 and streamed online via 10 Play and Paramount Plus.
10 Play is available via the App Store and Google Play with the platform also accessible via Apple TV, Android TV, Freeview, Fetch, Samsung and Telstra TV.
Paramount+ meanwhile offers free seven-day trials with monthly subscriptions costing $8.99 and A-Leagues' clubs offering yearly discounted deals as part of membership packs.
Commentary duo Simon Hill and Andy Harper are expected to be calling the action.
Socceroos squad, team news and predicted starting side
| Name | Team | Name | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awer Mabil | Kasimpasa, Turkey | Fran Karacic | Brescia, Italy |
| Aziz Behich | Giresunspor, Turkey | Connor Metcalfe | Melbourne City, Australia |
| Martin Boyle | Al-Faisaly, Saudi Arabia | James Jeggo | KAS Eupen, Belgium |
| Bailey Wright | Sunderland, England | Bruno Fornaroli | Perth Glory, Australia |
| Gianni Stensness | Viking FK, Norway | Nathaniel Atkinson | Hearts, Scotland |
| Mitch Duke | Fagiano Okayama, Japan | Mathew Leckie | Melbourne City, Australia |
| Marco Tilio | Melbourne City, Australia | Mathew Ryan (GK) | Real Sociedad, Spain |
| Ben Folami | Melbourne Victory, Australia | Trent Sainsbury | KV Kortrijk, Belgium |
| Denis Genreau | Toulouse, France | Ryan McGowan** | Kuwait SC, Kuwait |
| Ajdin Hrustic | Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany | Nicholas D'Agostino | Melbourne Victory, Australia |
| Kenneth Dougall | Blackpool, England | Andrew Redmayne | Sydney FC, Australia |
| Joel King | OB, Norway | Danny Vukovic (GK) | NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands |
Milos Degenek and Rhyan Grant both returned to their clubs following last week's 2-0 loss to Japan with fellow defender Bailey Wright brought into the team.
Jamie Maclaren is unavailable as he finally gets married with COVID having previously delayed his big day.
Predicted Socceroos XI: Ryan; Behich, Sainsbury, Wright, Karacic; Genreau, Jeggo, Hrustic; Boyle, Mabil, Fornaroli.
Socceroos vs Saudi Arabia past results
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 11, 2021 | Australia 0-0 Saudi Arabia | World Cup qualifier |
| Jun 8, 2017 | Australia 3-2 Saudi Arabia | World Cup qualifier |
| Oct 7, 2016 | Saudi Arabia 2-2 Australia | World Cup qualifier |
| Sep 9, 2014 | Saudi Arabia 2-3 Australia | International friendly |
| Feb 29, 2012 | Australia 4-2 Saudi Arabia | World Cup qualifier |
