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Australia can cut the gap between themselves and Group C leaders Japan to just two points with victory here in Saitama
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Tuesday October 15th 2024: UK – 11:35am / US ET – 6:35am / US PT – 3:35am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Bet365 & FIFA+ / US – FIFA+
JAPAN PREVIEW: STILL FLAWLESS AT BOTH ENDS OF THE PITCH
A professional 0-2 triumph away to Saudi Arabia now makes it three wins from three for Japan, establishing clear daylight between themselves and their Group C rivals. Even more impressively, the Blue Samurai are still yet to concede, having piled up 14 goals at the other end of the pitch, that’s an average of well over four goals per game.
AUSTRALIA PREVIEW: NEW MANAGER BOUNCE HITS THE SPOT
Under new head Tony Popovic in his first Group C fixture, Australian fans could be forgiven for thinking “here we go again” when China took the lead this past Thursday in Adelaide. However, this time the Socceroos responded, with an equaliser just before half-time proving a massive momentum-shifter. Australia, perhaps with Popovic’s team talk ringing in their eyes then stepped up a gear in the second-half, scoring twice more and securing a vital 3-1 victory.
JAPAN TEAM NEWS: UNCHANGED SIDE EXPECTED FROM VISITORS
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Suzuki; Itakura, Taniguchi, Machida; Doan, Endo, Morita, Mitoma; Minamino, Ueda, Kamada
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
AUSTRALIA TEAM NEWS: MCGREE COULD START AFTER IMPRESSIVE CAMEO OFF THE BENCH
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Gauci; Deng, Souttar, Rowles; Miller, O’Neill, Irvine, Behich; Goodwin, Duke, McGree
UNAVAILABLE: Circati (Injured), Metcalfe (Injured), Luongo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
JAPAN VS AUSTRALIA PREDICTION
Australia are a significantly more dangerous assignment for Japan now that the Socceroos are under the command of Popovic. But Japan are by far the best team in the group and are the only side who have locked things down at both ends of the pitch, shutting out the opponents but also showing cutting edge from an attacking perspective. With the momentum flowing through the Blue Samuari and home advantage being in their favour, it’s well worth backing Japan to extend their 100% record in Group C.
JAPAN VS AUSTRALIA TIP: JAPAN TO WIN