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November 15 2024, 19:27 · Alex Lawes

Samoa vs New Zealand Preview: Team News & Prediction

Samoa vs New Zealand Preview: Team News & Prediction
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This is a game between arguably the weakest side in the second round of OFC qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Samoa, taking on the strongest side, New Zealand. 

Kick-off date/time: Monday 18th November, 2024: UK – 6:30am / US ET – 1:30am / Sunday 17th November, 2024: US PT – 10:30pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – FIFA+ / US – FIFA+

Samoa Preview: Struggling Samoans

Samoa came through the preliminary round of OFC qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Samoans defeated defeated American Samoa and then edged past Tonga after extra-time in the first round during the September international break.

The world’s number 186 began the second round of qualifying with a 4-1 hammering at the hands of Vanuatu before then suffering a 3-0 defeat to Tahiti in their most recent outing the other day to mean they have now been eliminated.

New Zealand Preview: A formality of qualification

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams and that, for the first time ever, has guaranteed an Oceanian team at the tournament and the All Whites are expected to take that spot, starting their qualifying campaign very well.

New Zealand started the second round with an impressive 3-0 hammering of Tahiti in Port Vila last month and they backed that up with an impressive 8-1 annihilation of Vanuatu at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton the other day. 

Samoa Team News: No injury or suspension

The Samoans have no injury concerns or suspension issues for the clash against New Zealand so they will be able to name an unchanged eleven from their squad.

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Fatu; Tolo Kent, Setefano, Chote, Wilson; Hamilton-Pama, De Groot-Green, Mariner; Knight, Trainor, Salisbury

UNAVAILABLE: 

QUESTIONABLE: 

New Zealand Team News: Potential rotation

New Zealand could make changes for this one with qualification already confirmed but they don’t have any injury concerns or suspension issues for this one. 

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Crocombe; Roux, Boxall, Bindon, Cacace; Stamenic, Rufer; Rogerson, Just, Garbett; Wood

UNAVAILABLE: 

QUESTIONABLE: 

Key Stats

  • Samoa have lost five of their last seven World Cup qualifying matches (W2).
  • None of Samoa’s previous 30 World Cup qualifying matches finished without a goal being scored.
  • New Zealand are unbeaten in their last 25 matches in OFC qualifying for the World Cup (W22 D3).
  • New Zealand have won their last seven matches in OFC qualifying for the World Cup.
  • New Zealand have won seven of their last nine international matches (D1 L1).
  • Chris Wood has scored a total of eight goals in New Zealand’s last seven World Cup qualifying matches.

Samoa vs New Zealand Prediction

This is the biggest mis-match in OFC qualification. Samoa have done their job for this international cycle by surprising Tonga and even reaching this stage and they are a weak team. New Zealand will want to wrap up top spot in style after scoring 11 goals in their opening two matches and, even if they do decide to rotate, are expected to run out as heavy winners, especially with their home advantage. 

Samoa vs New Zealand Tip: New Zealand to win -2 handicap