All the best bets and comprehensive preview for the big FIFA World Cup Qualifier between Australia and Japan.
Head to head, goal scorers and more of the best selections from popular markets.
Socceroos vs. japan
march 24th 8:10pm
It is basically do or die for Australia when it hosts Japan at Stadium Australia for a pivotal World Cup Qualifying clash on Thursday night.
With Japan sitting on 18 points in second spot and Australia sitting on 15 points in third spot, a win for the Socceroos is a must if it wishes to progress to the next stage of the World Cup.
A win will see Australia leap frog the Japanese into second spot and slightly ease the pressure off coach Graham Arnold.
If the Socceroos were to win both their remaining World Cup Qualifiers, automatic qualification to Qatar would be granted, so the men in green and gold know exactly what is at stake.
With COVID striking down this Socceroos squad, Arnold will have to field a weakened line up, which brings Japan right into this contest even if it is on enemy territory.
Tom Rogic, Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine, and Riley McGree will all be missing from the heart of midfield, which poses a big headache for Arnold as he tries to keep Australia’s record of World Cup qualification intact since 2006.
A-League goal-scoring machine Bruno Fornaroli has been called up for his first ever Socceroos cap and is set to lead the front line.
Arnold has also called upon Melbourne Victory forward duo Nicholas D’Agostino and Ben Folami to fill the plague of omissions.
Japan clearly has the advantage in this contest and the head to head record reads favourably for the Samurai Blue.
Not since 2009 has a Socceroos squad beaten the Japanese, so Arnold is going to have to produce a minor miracle to get all three points here.
The Blue Samurai will be fielding a very strong squad with Ayase Ueda sure to prove a nuisance for this weakened Socceroos back four.
Vissel Kobe forward Yuya Osako and Hiroki Sakai have both been ruled out due to injury, but that will not deter this Japanese team.
It is a case of one soldier out and another one in.
The market head both nations equal favourite for this clash, but it is Japan which is the clear value.
Prediction: Australia 1 Japan 2
Suggested Bets:
Japan head to head at $2.65
Half-Time Totals Over 1.5 at $3.64
A. Ueda anytime goalscorer at $2.95
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Japan head to head
Leg 2: A. Ueda anytime goalscorer
Leg 3: Total goals over 2.5
Leg 4: Australia over 3.5 corners
Combined odds = $9.50
