Australia will look to finish top of Group B at the Asian Cup when they take on Uzbekistan in their final group stage match.
They have been far from convincing in their opening two games, but they have managed to win against India and Syria to confirm their spot in the Round of 16, and a draw against Uzbekistan will confirm their status as group winners.
Whilst Uzbekistan’s place in the Round of 16 isn’t officially secured, their win and draw in their games so far means they should at least qualify for the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams, and will most likely follow Australia in second place.
Here, we look at all the latest betting odds, predictions, injury news and analysis for Australia vs. Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup 2023.
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Australia vs. Uzbekistan team news and line-ups
Despite their two wins, Australia’s performances have given coach Graham Arnold more questions than answers, as they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against compact defences.
Mitch Duke has been ruled out with a hamstring strain, so Bruno Fornaroli or Kusini Yengi will likely earn the starting spot up top.
Should he be fit enough, midfielder Riley McGree should be inserted into the starting lineup due to his impact off the bench in the opening games, whilst Gethin Jones could be fearing for his place in the starting side after his performances at the tournament so far.
As for Uzbekistan, 20-year-old attacking midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullayev announced himself to the continent in his country’s 3-0 win over India as he pulled the strings with a goal and an all-round eye-catching performance.
Sherzod Nasrulloev also impressed from left back as he also got on the scoresheet; Srecko Katenec is likely to keep a settled starting side ahead of what is their toughest match at the tournament to date.
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Australia vs. Uzbekistan match analysis, prediction and betting odds
All of the meetings between the sides have come since Australia joined the AFC in 2006, with two of those coming in the knockout rounds of the Asian Cup.
The first of these came in the 2011 semifinals, where Australia steamrolled Uzbekistan with a 6-0 win; their meeting in 2019 was a much closer affair, as the game ended 0-0 after extra time and had to be settled on penalties.
Current Socceroos captain Maty Ryan was the hero as he made two crucial saves to win the shootout for Australia.
On paper this is Australia’s biggest test so far, though they will be heartened by the fact a draw will be enough to finish top of the group and an easier draw in the Round of 16; given the quality of both sides and Australia’s performances to date, a draw could be the most likely outcome in this match.
Australia vs. Uzbekistan odds
- Australia win: 2.45
- Draw: 2.90
- Uzbekistan win: 3.35
Odds via Unibet.
Australia vs. Uzbekistan: How to watch, live stream Asian Cup game
All of the Socceroos' Asian Cup games – including their match against Uzbekistan – will be shown live on free-to-air TV via Channel 10.
Fans looking to stream the match can do so via 10Play or Paramount+.
The game is taking place at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah on January 23, with kick-off slated for 2:30 p.m. local time (10:30 p.m. AEDT).
The venue is one Australia knows well, as they played all three group games at the 2022 World Cup at the stadium.
It also holds happy memories for the Socceroos, as they won two of those games to qualify for the Round of 16 for the first time in 12 years.
