Papua New Guinea vs Solomon Islands Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Papua New Guinea still have a slight chance of qualification but they now face a Solomon Islands side that have been eliminated with back-to-back defeats.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 17th November, 2024: UK – 6:00am / - US ET – 1:00am / Saturday 16th 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’s final push
Papua New Guinea are one of the weaker sides in Oceania but after getting themselves a point against Fiji the other day, they remain in with a shout of progressing. They took the lead three times in that game before frustratingly being held to a 3-3 draw.
That came after a 3-1 loss to New Caledonia last month. Papua New Guinea now sit three points behind Fiji but a Fiji defeat to New Caledonia this weekend with PNG beating Solomon Islands opens the door for PNG.
Solomon Islands Preview: Struggling Solomons
Like Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands are among the weakest sides within the Oceanian Football Confederation (OFC). They have already been eliminated from 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification with two defeats from two matches.
They began the second round of qualification for the tournament, the Solomon Islanders were beaten 1-0 by ten-man Fiji last month before then giving up a 2-1 lead to New Caledonia at half-time and losing by three goals to two the other day.
Papua New Guinea Team News: No injuries
Papua New Guinea put in a good performance against Fiji and should have won that game so they are expected to be unchanged for this one this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Tomare; D. Joe, Komolong, K. Kepo, Eddie; Sakael; Naime, Rani, J. Joe, Simon; A. Kepo
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
Solomon Islands Team News: No changes needed
After a good performance against New Caledonia, there would appear no reason for the Solomon Islands to make too many changes for this one.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Mango; David, Alick, Kofana, Supa; Leslie, Komasi, Kaua, Hou; Lea’i, Keana
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
Key Stats
- Papua New Guinea have lost only two of their last eight World Cup qualifying matches in Papua New Guinea (W2 D4).
- Papua New Guinea have only failed to score in two of their last 17 World Cup qualifying matches.
- Solomon Islands have lost only two of their previous 19 international matches against Papua New Guinea (W13 D4).
- Solomon Islands have lost their last seven international matches.
- Solomon Islands have won the last three World Cup qualifying matches between these two teams.
Papua New Guinea vs Solomon Islands Prediction
Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands are low quality sides but both teams were involved in high-scoring matches the other day, showing another side to their capabilities. Both will know that defensively they were not good enough and that has cost them but PNG still have a chance and they also have home advantage in this one. As a result, it could be quite fun for the neutral but Papua New Guinea are firm favourites.
Papua New Guinea vs Solomon Islands Tip: Papua New Guinea to win & over 2.5 goals
