Both Lebanon and China are on the search for their first win at the tournament as they prepare to meet on Wednesday night.
China enters this game in horrible form, going four games without a win (1D,3L), while scoring just once across the trip.
Similarly, Lebanon have won once across their last seven internationals (2D,4L), and have been kept scoreless in their last two games.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this one finished 0-0, but I’ll allow some wiggle room backing under 1.5 total goals.
Group A is Qatar’s to lose.
The host nation got their Asian Cup defence off to a flyer with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Lebanon, with both strikers finding the back of the net.
I’m backing Qatar to lock in their progression to the knockout phase with another win here, be it a lowing scoring one.
The Socceroos can book their place in the final 16 with a victory over Syria here.
The Aussies were made to work for their win against India last time out, finding the back of the net just twice despite 20+ shots on goal.
They’ll take on a Syrian outfit coming in off the back of a stale 0-0 draw against Uzbekistan.
Australia has won five games on the trot now without conceding a goal.
I’m backing the Socceroos to keep another clean sheet here, ultimately getting up by a couple of goals.
India and Uzbekistan meet on the footy field for the first time ever.
Uzbekistan are currently on a run of eight games without defeat (5W,3D).
Meanwhile, India has lost five of their last six games (1W), conceding 2+ goals in four of those defeats.
I’m keeping this one simple, backing Uzbekistan to take the three points on offer, combined with over 2.5 goals.
The United Arab Emirates will enter this fixture quietly confident after picking up eight wins across their last nine internationals.
In stark contrast, Palestine’s last win came 11 games back (3D,7L), most recently losing 4-1 to Iran in the opening round.
I’m backing the UAE to get past Palestine with similar ease, backing the win combined with over 1.5 goals.
Tournament favourites Japan look to claim their 12th win on the trot when they line up a more than capable opponents Iraq.
Iraq have won four of their last five games (1L) and enter this one off the back of a 3-1 victory over Indonesia.
The Blue Samurai have won four of their previous five games against Iraq (1D).
I’m backing Japan to win and former Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino to add to his tally of two goals against Vietnam.
Minnows Vietnam and Indonesia are set to fight over 3rd spot in Group D behind Japan and Iraq.
These two South East Asian nations are no strangers, meeting each other 14 times already, with Vietnam dominating proceedings lately, with three wins and two draw in the last five matchups.
I’m taking Vietnam to win again here combined with over 1.5 goals.
Iran are looking to claim a 7th straight win against Hong Kong, while extending their unbeaten international run to 15 fixtures (12W,2D)!
Meanwhile, Hong Kong are staring down the barrel of four straight defeats.
Over 3.5 goals has hit in seven of Iran’s previous eight games, along with their last two meetings with Hong Kong.
I’m backing Iran and over 3.5 Goals to salute once again here.
There’s also value to be found on jumping on their starting striker to score anytime once lineups are confirmed.
Jordan looks to break a run of three straight defeats to South Korea when the pair meet on Saturday night.
South Korea are enjoying a purple patch of form, winning seven straight games while conceding just once across the trip.
Alternatively, Jordan have lost seven of their last ten games (2W,1D), including a 6-1 thumping at the hands of Japan.
I’m backing Korea’s defence to hold strong, helping them to a comfortable victory.
Bahrain and Malaysia are both eyeing off their first win of the campaign when they meet on Saturday evening.
Malaysia will need to put a 4-0 lost to Jordan behind them as they bid to secure their first ever win against Bahrain (2D,3L).
That being said, Bahrain are the superior outfit here and should see off the Malaysian for the fourth straight time.
Oman looks to secure a fourth straight win against Thailand when the pair meet late on Sunday night.
Thailand enters this game off the back of a 2-0 victory over Kyrgyzstan in the opening round, though they had failed to win five of their previous six outings (1D,4L).
Alternatively, Oman went down 2-1 to Group F favourites Saudi Arabia, but will be confident to claim all three points against the lowly ranked Thai side.
I’m backing Oman to take the chocolates here.
Kyrgyzstan take on Saudi Arabia in the final match of game week two.
The Saudis are eyeing off their sixth win in seven outings (1D), after seeing off Oman 2-1 in their opening fixture.
Alternatively, Kyrgyzstan will be hoping to bounce back from a 2-0 humbling to minnows Thailand.
This is the first time these two nations have met on the football pitch, and it’s hard to imagine anything outside a massive Saudi victory.