India will take on Syria in their final group stage game of the ongoing 2023 AFC Asian Cup. The Blue Tigers have had a remorseful outing in Qatar so far, having lost both of their previous encounters in Group B. The two sides will face off at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Tuesday (January 23).
India, who are making only their fifth appearance at the Asian Cup - and the first time that they have achieved consecutive qualification for the main event - kicked off their campaign against Australia, one of the strongest football sides in Asia.
However, the gulf in class was pretty evident as the Socceroos inflicted a 2-0 loss on the Sunil Chhetri-led side. The Blue Tigers then locked horns against Uzbekistan, who thrashed them 3-0.
Now, their focus shifts to Syria, who are currently ranked 91st in the FIFA rankings. It will be a stern challenge for the Blue Tigers, whose qualification hopes are as low as one could think.
MORE: India's schedule at the AFC Asian Cup
AFC Asian Cup, India vs Syria: Predicted lineups
Predicted XI for India: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Nikhil Poojary, Sandesh Jhingan, Rahul Bheke, Akash Mishra; Anirudh Thapa, Lalengmawia Ralte, Suresh Wangjam; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sunil Chhetri (C), Manvir Singh.
Predicted XI for Syria: Ahmad Madania (GK); Abdul Rahman Weiss, Aiham Ousou, Thaer Krouma, Mouyad Ajan; Mahmoud Al-Aswad, Jalil Elias, Ezequiel Ham, Ammar Ramadan; Pablo Sabbag, Ibrahim Hesar
India vs Syria: Head-to-head record
India have taken on Syria on six occasions. To your surprise, India hold a favourable head-to-head record against their next opponents. The Blue Tigers have won three games, lost two, and drawing one. India will hope to keep their favourable record intact with a win on Tuesday.
Their previous meeting came in 2019, in the Intercontinental Cup in Ahmedabad. The game ended even-steven, at 1-1.
| Matches | IND won | SYR won | Draw |
| 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
MORE: AFC Asian Cup 2023 Golden Boot: Top scorers
India vs Syria: Prediction for AFC Asian Cup game
India are currently lower ranked than Syria, who sit on the 91st position. The Blue Tigers are 11 places below Syria, and are ranked 102.
Historically, even though the head-to-head record favours Sunil Chhetri and his side, India's last win against Syria was in August 2012. The two nations have met only once in the last decade. The stats are skewed towards India. There is a reason Syria are ranked ahead of the Blue Tigers on FIFA Rankings.
Syria played a draw against Uzbekistan in their opener, while India conceded three first-half goals to the same opponent. This should be a clear indication as to which side is better-equipped to win the match on Tuesday.
While Stimac's men put in a brave defensive showing against Australia in the opening game, they were lacklustre in the next clash against the Uzbeks. One would never know which India would turn up on the day.
India would need a miracle to fend off the physicality of Syria, who have their sights on qualifying to the next round of the competition.
India vs Syria: Betting odds for AFC Asian Cup
According to Dafabet, Syria are the overwhelming favourites to beat India in their second group-stage encounter at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
| Result | Betting odds |
| India win | 9.80 |
| Draw | 5.40 |
| Syria win | 1.34 |
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >