The AFC Asian Cup gets underway at the Al Bay Stadium, where host nation Qatar will take on World football minnows, Lebanon.
The Maroons sit 49 places above Lebanon in the FIFA World Rankings, and rightfully head into this contest as hot favourites.
These two sides have met on seven times, with Qatar claiming six wins and a draw, outscoring Lebanon 13-2 across the trip.
I’m backing the host nation to get off to a flyer, combined with a goal from their form striker Almoez Ali.
The Socceroos’ campaign gets underway at 9pm on Saturday night (AEST).
The Aussies will face India for just the 2nd time, following a 4-0 romping in 2011, which saw a Timmy Cahill double combined with strikes from Kewell and Holman.
India’s form is scratchy at best, losing four of their last five games, whilst playing sides far less equiped than Australia.
As such, the Socceroos represent absolutely no value in the H2H market ($1.04), though there is plenty of opportunity to snag a goal scorer in what should be a one-sided affair.
I’m jumping on Harry Souttar to find the back of the net (probably via a set piece), the lanky centre back has scored in four of his last six international caps and will stand head and shoulders above this Indian outfit.
China opens their Asian Cup campaign against minnows Tajikistan on Saturday night.
The Asian giants enter this fixture in poor form, losing four of their last five games (1W), most recently going down 2-1 to Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, Tajikistan are unbeaten in six, winning five of those fixtures including a 2-1 victory over Hong Kong.
Every major tournament in good for a few upsets and I’m backing Tajikistan to be the first side to surprise the bookies.
Uzbekistan will be looking to hit the ground running when they face Syria in Group B.
The White Wolves are undefeated across their last seven internationals (5W,2D), including a 3-3 draw against Mexico.
Alternatively, Syria have won just two of their previous nine games (3D,4L), and are winless in three.
Uzbekistan are looking to replicate their efforts from the 2011 Asian Cup, where they reached the semi-final before falling to Australia 6-0.
I have the White Wolves winning this one comfortably.
86 places separate Hong Kong (150) from UAE (64) in the FIFA World Rankings.
The United Arab Emirates has won seven of their last eight games, and are $1.22 to claim an other W here.
Hong Kong’s form doesn’t stack up as well, with three wins in their last 13 starts, two of which came against rank minnows Bhutan and Bruei.
UAE has won the last two meetings between this pair 4-0 and I’m backing a similar result to transpire here.
There can only be one winner here.
Iran enter this tournament as the 2nd highest ranked AFC nation behind Japan.
The Group C favourites are undefeated since 2022, winning 11 games and drawing twice across the trip.
They’ll line up against a Palestine outfit winless in nine games (2D,7L).
Six of Irans last seven games have seen 4+ goals scored, a trend I am backing to continue here at the expense of the Palestine keeper.
Six time Finalists, two time Asian Cup Champions, South Korea take on seven time qualifiers Bahrain in was is set to be a one sided affair.
South Korea are 2nd favourite ($5.50) to lift the trophy behind Japan ($2.75), with Bahrain drifting out $101 roughies.
The Taegeuk Warriors have won six straight fixtures, with each victory accompanied by a clean sheet!
I’m backing South Korea to win to nil, combined with a goal from Tottenham superstar Heung-Min Son.
Australia’s favourite holiday destination will switch to business mode as they prepare to take on Iraq.
Indonesia slump into the opening game on a run of five fixtures without a win (1,D,4L) a streak which started with a 5-1 to none other than Iraq.
The Iraqis are in slight better knick, winning five of the last seven games (2L), and have won their last four games against Indonesia.
I’m backing Iraq to run away with this one, claiming a multiple goal victory.
Jordan enters this comp in horrendous form, with one win in nine games (1D,7L).
They’ll face a Malaysian outfit ranked 43 places below them in the FIFA Wold standings, but a side in tremendous nick.
Malaysia have lost just once across their last 11 Internationals (7W,3D) and will be quietly confident of springing an upset on a Jordan side lacking in belief.
I’m backing the underdogs with a +1 goal advantage here.
Neither Thailand or Kyrgyzstan are expected to make it out of Group F, though tournament football is a beautiful beast and anything can happen!
Both outfits are defensively vulnerable, Thailand have secured one clean sheet in 11 games, while Kyrgyzstan have conceded in all but one of their last nine.
I’m backing both teams to score, or more appropriately concede, combined with over 2.5 total goals.
Game Week 1 wraps up on Wednesday morning, when Group F favourites Saudi Arabia take on Oman.
Saudi Arabia soar into this fixture in incredible form, undefeated in five games without conceding, winning four of those fixtures!
Oman have also been defensively resolute of late, winning three of their last four internationals to nil.
This will be a highly competitive fixture, but I have the Saudis edging out Oman it in a low scoring affair.