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November 11 2024, 16:35 · Alex Lawes
Updated: November 11 2024, 16:43

Papua New Guinea vs Fiji Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (OFC) | Second Round

Papua New Guinea vs Fiji Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (OFC) | Second Round
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Papua New Guinea are blessed with home advantage for this tie against Fiji with PNG Football Stadium in Port Moseby hosting a crucial and potentially decisive encounter. 

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Thursday 14th November, 2024 - UK – 6:00am / ET – 1:00am / Wednesday 13th November, 2024 - US PT – 10:00pm

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – FIFA+ / US – FIFA+

PAPUA NEW GUINEA PREVIEW: PNG NEED RESPONSE

Papua New Guinea come into this one on the back of beginning the second round of Oceanian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-1 defeat to New Caledonia last month in a result that did perhaps actually flatter them.

They are one of the weaker sides in the second round of qualification in the Oceanian confederation. PNG are currently ranked 171st in the world by FIFA after a reasonable showing before elimination at the OFC Nations Cup group stages over the summer. 

FIJI PREVIEW: STEADY FIJIANS

Under the management of Rob Sherman, Fiji are tipped up as one of the stronger contenders to be the eventual runners’ up to New Zealand at the end of Oceanian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and get themselves an intercontinental playoff spot.

The ‘Bula Boys’, as they are nicknamed, come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat of the Solomon Islands last month to kick off their qualifying campaign with experienced attacker Roy Krishna scoring a 13th minute winner in that game. 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT

Their defeat last month means they may want to make changes for this one but they can name an unchanged eleven with no injury concerns or suspension issues this week. 

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Warisan; A. Joe, Komolong, K. Kepo, Haro; Sakael, J. Joe; A. Kepo, Simon, Eddie; Semmy

UNAVAILABLE: 

QUESTIONABLE: 

FIJI TEAM NEWS: KRISHNA’S FIJI

The aforementioned 37-year-old captain Roy Krishna remains Fiji’s key man but they will be without fellow attacker Aporosa Yada due to suspension. 

PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Narayan; Vasoncellos, Matanisiga, Kautoga, Lairoti; Jennings, Waranaivalu, Dunn, Nalaubu; Krishna, Hughes

UNAVAILABLE: Yada (Suspended)

QUESTIONABLE: 

KEY STATS

  • Fiji won 5-1 when these two teams met earlier in 2024 in the group stage of the OFC Nations Cup,
  • Fiji have lost only two of their last 17 international matches against Papua New Guinea (W11 D4).
  • Papua New Guinea have only failed to score in two of their last 16 World Cup qualifying matches.
  • Fiji have won six of their last nine international matches (D1 L2).
  • Fiji are aiming to win successive World Cup qualifying matches for the first time since 2007.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA VS FIJI PREDICTION

Papua New Guinea do have home advantage in this one and, prior to this qualifying campaign, did show they have some potential in terms of being stubborn and difficult to beat at times. Fiji have more pedigree in their squad but could fall into the trap of believing another home game next week is good for them because they can treat this as a free hit or just take a point from Port Moseby. As a result, it could well be a low-scoring affair between sides that lack cutting edge and quality.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA VS FIJI TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS