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AFC World Cup Qualifiers - Australia vs Lebanon Tips & Preview - Socceroos Are Firm Favourites To Win Against The Cedars

By Nikhil Kalro

20 Mar 2024

Nikhil Kalro 20 Mar 2024

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Australia lead Group I in the AFC World Cup Qualifiers, with Lebanon in second position.
Despite the Asian Cup setback, Australia's overall performances make them favourites against Lebanon.
Lebanon's campaign so far has been sub-par, increasing Australia's chance for victory.

Australia and South Korea in action during their Asian Cup encounter. (Getty Images)

Australia are sitting at the top of Group I in the second round of the AFC World Cup Qualifiers, while Lebanon are second.

Hosts Hurt After Asian Cup Loss
Warning Bells Ringing For Lebanon
AFC World Cup Qualifiers - Australia vs Lebanon Tips & Prediction

The second round of the Asian World Cup Qualifiers will reach its midway point this week, with plenty of matches scheduled on Thursday and Friday. In this article, we will focus on the crunch encounter between Australia and Lebanon. The match will be played at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, and the hosts are firm favourites to win it.

The Socceroos have won their first two matches of the second round against Bangladesh and Palestine. Meanwhile, Lebanon have drawn both their encounters against the same teams. Australia are not only the favourites to win against Lebanon but they are also expected to go all the way and secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

Hosts Hurt After Asian Cup Loss

The hosts will be desperate for a win because South Korea ended their seven-game unbeaten run in the Asian Cup in February. The Socceroos were on the verge of a narrow 1-0 victory when they gave away a penalty in second-half stoppage time. Hee-Chan Hwang converted from the spot and took the game to extra time.

Tottenham attacker Heung-Min Son turned the game on its head in the 104th minute and gave his nation a crucial victory. This was Australia’s first loss in a competitive game since their 2022 FIFA World Cup loss against Argentina. In their last eight competitive games, the Socceroos have lost one, drawn as many, and won six.

Warning Bells Ringing For Lebanon

The World Cup qualifying campaign and the Asian Cup outing have been horrendous for Lebanon. The team was held to a goalless by Palestine before Bangladesh forced the Cedars to share the points after a 1-1 stalemate. In the Asian Cup, the team was beaten 3-0 by Qatar, held to a goalless draw by China, and defeated 2-1 by Tajikistan.

After losing in the SAFF Championship semifinal against India on penalties, Lebanon have registered three draws and three losses in their last six competitive games, extending their winless run to seven. Now facing a staunch opposition in Australia, the odds are not in favour of the Cedars.

AFC World Cup Qualifiers - Australia vs Lebanon Tips & Prediction

Australia are firm favourites, irrespective of the venue. Playing at home still boosts their advantage. Expect a commanding victory in Sydney for the hosts this Thursday.

Verdict

Australia v Lebanon

These two teams have clashed in a couple of Friendlies in the past. Australia won both games 3-0. The first one was in 2012, and the other was in 2018. The history books, statistics, and current form back the Socceroos in this fixture. The hosts will be hungry for a commanding win with a big margin to get over their loss against South Korea in the Asian Cup.

Australia win

Match Result

@-862.07 - 1 Unit

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