Both Tajikistan and Jordan have overcome the odds to reach the AFC Asian Cup Quarterfinals.
Tajikistan finished 2nd behind Qatar in Group A, before knocking off the UAE in a penalty shootout in the round of 16, a game they were unlucky not to win in regular time.
While, Jordan qualified through to the round of 16 via 3rd place finish in Group E, behind both Bahrain and South Korea.
Jordan were fortunate to get past Iraq last time out, scoring two injury-time goals against a 10-man side to overcome a 2-1 deficit.
I think this will be an extremely tight contest, but I’m giving Tajikistan the nod to qualify given their experience in penalty shootouts.
Australia meets South Korea in a replay of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup Final.
The Socceroos will be hoping for a similar result to transpire here, winning that contest 2-1 thanks to an extra-time strike from James Troisi.
South Korea has been fortunate to progress to this point on the competition, drawing their last three contests after regular time.
Australia enters this contest with a 3-day rest advantage, an advantage which is heightened by South Korea playing 120 minutes of football followed by pens against Saudi Arabia.
I’m backing the Aussies to spoil South Korea’s AFC party.
Iran enters this fixture off the back of playing 120+ minutes against Syria in the Round of 16, eventually claiming victory via pens.
Meanwhile, Japan blew past Bahrain 3-1, a scoreline which flatters the fallen.
The Blues Samurai has won 13 of their last 14 internationals (1L), with their solitary loss coming against Iraq, who they dominated for the majority.
Similarly, Iran are unbeaten in 17 starts (15W,2D), and are genuine contenders for this Championship.
Over 2.5 Goals have been scored in 14 of Japans last 15 games, as the Blue Samurai more than happy to engage in end to end football.
I’m staying away from the H2H market, instead backing the goals to flow.
Two of the competitions form sides in Qatar and Uzbekistan are set to duke it out for a sops in the quarterfinals.
Qatar has reached this point of the back of four straight wins, outscoring their opponents 7-1 across the trip.
Alternatively, Uzbekistan qualified 2nd in Group B, with a win and two draws, before edging past Thailand 2-1 in the Round of 16.
Both teams have scored in the past two games involving Uzbekistan, while despite cruising through the group stage, Qatar did concede in their R16 clash against Palestine.
I’m backing both sides to find the back of the net in what should be a tight contest.