ASIAN CUP: AUSTRALIA V SYRIA

After their 3-0 win over the Lions of Canaan, the Socceroos sit in second position in Group B with a win over Syria securing progression in the tournament and a draw or a loss leaving them waiting to see the result of Jordan v Palestine (played at the same time).

MATCH/TIME (AEST)	FOOTBALL BEST BETS
AUSTRALIA v SYRIA WED 16 JAN 1230AM SHEIKH KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL STADIUM	Australia ($1.46) Awer Mabil to score anytime ($3.00) Both teams to score – No ($1.71)

AUSTRALIA (LW) ($1.46) v SYRIA (DL) ($6.80)

What do we know about Syria?

The Socceroos faced Syria twice in their World Cup qualifiers in October last year, a 1-1 draw in Malaysia and 2-1 win at Stadium Australia where Tim Cahill scored in the 109th minute.

Syria have fired their coach and mid tournament this will make it very hard for them to bounce back.

Theya are yet to score after a 0-0 draw with Palestine where they had good chances early and a 2-0 loss to Jordan who remain undefeated.

Syria struggled to generate dangerous attacking opportunities against Palestine. 

Punters should expect a hard, frustrating performance from Syria who tackled very hard against Jordan.

Both teams to score – No ($1.71)

Balls into the box better path to goal than possession

There is a common thread between the games against Jordan, Palestine and Syria; Australia has dominated possession but has had mixed results. Time on the ball has not guaranteed the Socceroos success.

These teams have all structured defensively and then looked to hit Australia on the counter.

On Golden Goal last week, Josh Kennedy spoke about getting those balls into the box to score and it paid off straight away against Palestine.

Ball into the box. Jamie Maclaren. Goal. Ball into the box. Awer Mabil. Goal. Ball into the box. Apostolos Giannou. Goal.

Awer Mabil to score anytime ($3.00)

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Socceroos will be without Trent Sainsbury which is a big concern for the Wolf as the PSV defender is one of their rocks in defence.

The second yellow card he received was an absolute joke for time wasting, especially when Jordan got through their first match against Australia with plenty of unpunished theatrics.

Syria looked most susceptible to conceding against Jordan when they put balls into the box with several chances going begging.

In attack the signs for Australia are really positive. We know that the Socceroos will have plenty of confidence which is incredibly important.

The Wolf thinks they will get the win.

HOW IT’S SHAPING UP

Australia 2-0

BEST BETS: Australia ($1.46), Awer Mabil to score anytime ($3.00), Both teams to score – No ($1.71)