Both Australia and Tunisia will fancy their chances of claiming a vital win when they face off in 2022 World Cup action on Saturday, November 26.
The Socceroos started the tournament with a 4-1 loss to reigning champions France but did cause an early scare by scoring first.
Tunisia, meanwhile, gave Denmark a stern test in a 0-0 draw that showcased their ability to compete in Qatar.
This game has always been earmarked as a must-win for both teams and they'll likely throw everything at trying to secure a crucial three points in a competitive Group D.
MORE: World Cup Group D fixtures, results and standings
Australia vs. Tunisia lineups
The Socceroos make just one change as coach Graham Arnold largely keeps faith with the side beaten 4-1 in their opening match against France.
Nathaniel Atkinson, who struggled against France, is out injured, with Fran Karacic coming in to replace him on the right side of defence.
But there is still no place for No. 10 Ajdin Hrustic, who sat out the France game with a minor injury. It looks like Arnold will retain a 4-5-1 formation, although that could revert to a 4-3-3 as they chase goals in this game.
Tunisia, meanwhile, also make just the one change after their opening draw with Denmark. Naim Sliti takes over from Anis Ben Slimane as one of two players - along with captain Youssef Msakni - providing support up top for striker Issam Jebali.
Star player Wahbi Khazri, who wasn't used against Denmark, is on the bench today as is Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri.
🗣🇹🇳 The Tunisia fans are bringing the noise!#TUN | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/OCIRn2sHld
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 22, 2022
Australia confirmed starting 11
Australia (4-1-4-1, right to left): 1. Ryan (GK) — 5. Karacic, 19. Souttar, 4. Rowles, 16. Behich — 13. Mooy — 23. Goodwin, 22. Irvine, 14. McGree, 7. Leckie — 15. Duke
- Injuries: Atkinson
- Suspensions: None
Tunisia confirmed starting 11
Tunisia (3-4-2-1, right to left): 16.Dahmen (GK) — 6. Bronn, 4. Meriah, 3. Talbi — 20. Drager, 17. Skhiri, 8. Mejbri, 24. Abdi — 23. Sliti, 10. Khazri — 9. Jebali
- Injuries: None
- Suspensions: None
Australia vs. Tunisia World Cup squads
Australia
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Maty Ryan | FC Copenhagen (DEN) | 30 | 76 |
| Goalkeeper | Andrew Redmayne | Sydney FC (AUS) | 33 | 3 |
| Goalkeeper | Danny Vukovic | Central Coast Mariners (AUS) | 37 | 4 |
| Defender | Milos Degenek | Columbus Crew (USA) | 28 | 39 |
| Defender | Aziz Behich | Dundee United (SCO) | 31 | 54 |
| Defender | Joel King | OB (DAN) | 21 | 3 |
| Defender | Nathaniel Atkinson | Hearts (SCO) | 23 | 6 |
| Defender | Fran Karacic | Brescia (ITA) | 26 | 10 |
| Defender | Harry Souttar | Stoke City (ENG) | 23 | 11 |
| Defender | Kye Rowles | Hearts (SCO) | 24 | 4 |
| Defender | Bailey Wright | Sunderland (ENG) | 30 | 27 |
| Defender | Thomas Deng | Albirex Niigata (JAP) | 25 | 2 |
| Midfielder | Aaron Mooy | Celtic (SCO) | 32 | 54 |
| Midfielder | Jackson Irvine | St Pauli (GER) | 29 | 50 |
| Midfielder | Ajdin Hrustic | Hellas Verona (ITA) | 26 | 20 |
| Midfielder | Keanu Baccus | St Mirren (SCO | 29 | 2 |
| Midfielder | Cameron Devlin | Hearts (SCO) | 24 | 1 |
| Midfielder | Riley McGree | Middlesbrough (ENG) | 23 | 11 |
| Forward | Awer Mabil | Cadiz (SPA) | 27 | 30 |
| Forward | Mathew Leckie | Melbourne City (AUS) | 31 | 73 |
| Forward | Marco Tilio | Melbourne City (AUS) | 21 | 5 |
| Forward | Jamie Maclaren | Melbourne City (AUS) | 29 | 26 |
| Forward | Jason Cummings | Central Coast Mariners (AUS) | 27 | 2 |
| Forward | Mitchell Duke | Fagiano Okayama (JAP) | 31 | 21 |
| Forward | Garang Kuol | Central Coast Mariners (AUS) | 18 | 2 |
| Forward | Craig Goodwin | Adelaide United (AUS) | 30 | 11 |
Tunisia
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Aymen Dahmen | CS Sfaxien (TUN) | 25 | 6 |
| Goalkeeper | Mouez Hassen | Club Africain (TUN) | 27 | 20 |
| Goalkeeper | Balbouli | Etoile du Sahel (TUN) | 38 | 73 |
| Goalkeeper | Bechir Ben Said | US Monastir (TUN) | 27 | 10 |
| Defender | Mohamed Drager | Luzern (SUI) | 26 | 35 |
| Defender | Wajdi Kechrida | Atromitos (GRE) | 27 | 20 |
| Defender | Bilel Ifa | Kuwait SC (KUW) | 32 | 37 |
| Defender | Montassar Talbi | Lorient (FRA) | 24 | 24 |
| Defender | Dylan Bronn | Salernitana (ITA) | 27 | 37 |
| Defender | Yassine Meriah | ES Tunis (TUN) | 29 | 62 |
| Defender | Nader Ghandri | Club Africain (TUN) | 27 | 8 |
| Defender | Ali Maaloul | Al Ahly (EGY) | 32 | 83 |
| Defender | Ali Abdi | Caen (FRA) | 28 | 11 |
| Midfielder | Ellyes Skhiri | Koln (GER) | 27 | 50 |
| Midfielder | Aissa Laidouni | Ferencvaros (HUN) | 25 | 26 |
| Midfielder | Ferjani Sassi | Al Duhail (QAT) | 30 | 79 |
| Midfielder | Ghailene Chaalali | ES Tunis (TUN) | 28 | 31 |
| Midfielder | Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane | ES Tunis (TUN) | 23 | 23 |
| Midfielder | Hannibal Mejbri | Birmingham City (ENG) | 19 | 20 |
| Forward | Seifeddine Jaziri | Zamalek (EGY) | 29 | 29 |
| Forward | Naim Sliti | Al-Ettifaq (SAU) | 30 | 70 |
| Forward | Taha Yassine Khenissi | Kuwait SC (KUW) | 30 | 49 |
| Forward | Anis Ben Slimane | Brondby (DEN) | 21 | 26 |
| Forward | Issam Jebali | OB (DEN) | 30 | 11 |
| Forward | Wahbi Khazri | Montpellier (FRA) | 31 | 72 |
| Forward | Youssef Msakni | Al Arabi (QAT) | 32 | 89 |
