Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
In what is a heavyweight World Cup qualifying showdown at the top of the Group C table, Australia will welcome Japan to Perth on Thursday lunchtime.
Australia
Starting with the hosts, while Australia might have got their Group C campaign underway with a shock 1-0 loss at the hands of Bahrain back in September, the Socceroos have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. Last seen signing off March’s international break with a 2-0 victory away at China, Tony Popovic’s side have secured consecutive World Cup qualifying victories. Breezing their way back to a routine 5-1 romp against Indonesia on March 20th, Thursday’s hosts have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 12 appearances. Knowing that they can officially clinch a silver medal finish in Group C here, Australia will be desperate to lay down a real marker of intent here.
Australia Team News
Hibernian defender Nectarios Triantis has been forced to withdraw from Popovic’s squad and will not feature on Thursday lunchtime. Playing his domestic football with Italian outfit Leece, Sebastian Esposito has been called up as cover alongside Western Sydney Wanderers star Alex Bonetig.
While Cameron Burgess might have suffered a Premier League relegation with Ipswich, the 29-year-old will feature from the start here. Completing a permanent switch to French outfit Lens back in January, former Arsenal goalkeeper Matthew Ryan will lead Australia out in Perth.
Japan
As for the visitors, while some in Japan’s camp might have been frustrated back on March 25th as they eventually had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate at home against Saudi Arabia, Hajime Moriyasu’s men have enjoyed a sensational qualifying romp. Already breezing their way to top spot in Group C with plenty of time to spare, the Samurai Blue have registered 20 points from their eight appearances and have rightfully received a string of plaudits. With the mood in their camp ahead of Thursday’s trip to Perth, Japan will also be excited by their continued defensive steel. Including a 4-0 romp away at Indonesia back in November, Japan have shipped just a single strike in almost 400 minutes of action. It should also be noted, Thursday’s guests have recorded a clean sheet in four of their previous five showdowns on foreign soil.
Japan Team News
Helping Crystal Palace to an iconic maiden FA Cup trophy at Wembley last month, Daichi Kamada has been included in Moriyasu’s squad. Likewise, crowned a Premier League champion with Liverpool this season, Wataru Endo will lead out Japan in Perth and earn a 70th international cap here.
Linked with a potential move away from Real Sociedad this summer, Takefusa Kubo will start in the final third. Enjoying what was a breakout campaign with Italian outfit Parma and reportedly attracting plenty of Premier League interest, Zion Suzuki will start between the sticks.
Australia vs Japan Key Factors to Consider
- When Australia and Japan met for their reverse qualifying showdown back in October, Thursday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate in Saitama.
- Japan have conceded just a single strike in almost 400 minutes of qualifying action.
- Likewise, Thursday’s guests have recorded a clean sheet in four of their previous five matchups on foreign soil.
- Australia have suffered just a single competitive defeat on home soil within 90 minutes since way back in March 2022.
- Each of the last four meetings between Australia and Japan have finished with under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
While Australia might be 90 minutes away from officially wrapping up a top-two finish in Group C, Thursday’s hosts should be bracing themselves for a stern examination here. With Japan already breezing their way to top spot and enjoying a sensational qualifying romp, the Samurai Blue have also gained a real reputation for their rugged defensive steel. Along with shipping just a single strike in almost 400 minutes of Group C action, they have also registered a clean sheet in four of their last five showdowns on foreign soil.
Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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