In command of Group B, Australia eyes confirmation of an Asian Cup knockout stage spot as they meet Syria for their second match of this year's continental championship.
Australia topped India 2-0 in their opening match, leaving them well-positioned to secure a place in the Round of 16 in this game. A win would put Australia in a mathematically unassailable position. Should such a victory be coupled with Uzbekistan dropping points against India, it would leave the Socceroos as group winners with a match remaining.
Despite collecting three points from that initial contest, however, concerns remain for the Socceroos in the attacking department. They had a massive 28 shots against India but managed to put just six on target and created just two official "big chances" with that haul. They ultimately created very little danger and faced a nervy prospect with the game scoreless at halftime.
In turn, Syria will present a tougher test than India did for Australia. The Qasioun Eagles played to a scoreless draw with Uzbekistan in their opener, locking down their higher-ranked opponent who were toothless without star striker Eldor Shomurodov. They have played Australia to tight results in the past, with the Socceroos winning the last two meetings by one goal each following a 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw back in October.
CANADA: Click here to see the latest odds for Syria vs Australia and bet on Asian Cup matches
Australia vs. Syria prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Australia (-300)
- Score prediction: Syria 0-1 Australia
Australia is capable of the occasional goal-scoring flurry, but they largely focus their approach on managing games across the 90 minutes of play, regardless of opponent. That was the case against India, where they maintained a huge possessional advantage and peppered the opponent's goal until they found a breakthrough.
That may be the case here against a Syria side that held a hamstrung Uzbekistan to just 14 shots, feeling the absence of their main attacking threat in Shomurodov. While Syria may keep a lid on Australia, they will not be able to keep them out of the net, and the Socceroos should find enough firepower to reach the knockout stage.
| Sports Interaction (Canada) | |
| Syria win | +900 |
| Draw | +375 |
| Australia win | -300 |
| Both teams to score Y/N | +165 / -250 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | +105 / -145 |
| Australia -1.5 goals | +100 |
| Syria +1.5 goals | -145 |
Australia vs. Syria match facts
- Date: Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 2:30 p.m. local (6:30 a.m. ET / 3:30 a.m. PT)
- Location: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Last meeting: Australia 3-2 Syria (Jan. 15, 2019 | Asian Cup)
Australia vs. Syria: best bet
- Pick: Under 2.5 goals
- Odds: -145 (Sports Interaction)
Syria may be second-best to Australia from a talent perspective, but they should be entirely capable of keeping the match within reach down the stretch, at the very least.
The Qasioun Eagles have conceded two or more goals to an opponent just three times in the last 12 matches, and none of those were concerning — they twice gave up goals late to Malaysia in a pair of 2-2 friendly draws with the meaningless games winding down, and they were slammed 5-0 by Japan in World Cup qualifying, done in by waves of attacking pressure and high-quality finishing.
Australia does not subscribe to the same type of attacking onslaught that Japan relies on against inferior opponents, so Syria should keep this match within reach, even if the points ultimately end up out of reach.
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