The Socceroos have been dealt a favourable matchup in the round of 16, taking on Asian minnows Indonesia.
Indonesia made it through to the knockout phase off the back of a solitary win against Vietnam, while comfortably losing to both Japan and Iraq.
Meanwhile, Australia topped their group with two wins and a draw, conceding just one goal across the trip.
The Socceroos have won six of the previous seven matches against Indonesia (1D), keeping six clean sheets along the way.
I’m backing the Aussie to progress to the quarters without conceding here.
The 2nd fixture in the round of 16 should be fierce contest between Tajikistan and the UAE.
Tajikistan finished 2nd behind Qatar in Group A, finishing with a Win, Draw, and Loss.
It was the same story for the UAE, who claim four points to claim 2nd in Group C.
The UAE look a fair way off their best at the moment, with just one win in the last four starts.
Alternatively, Tajikistan have lost just once across eight internationals (5W,2D), and looked primed to spring an upset.
Iraq soars into the round of 16 off the back of toppling Group D with three straight wins.
They’ll take on Jordan, who crept into the final 16 after finishing 3rd in Group E, with just one win from three games (1D,1L).
I’m backing Iraq’s winning streak to continue, as they see off Jordan and advance to the quarterfinals.
Qatar cruised through Group A, winning all three of their fixtures without conceding.
Alternatively, Palestine made it through to the Round of 16 through 3rd place qualification, finishing behind both Iran and the UAE in Group C.
Palestine has never bettered Qatar on the international stage, losing five of the pairs six meetings (1D), failing to score across the last four fixtures.
I have Qatar progressing to the quarterfinals with their clean sheet record in tact.
Uzbekistan look to build on a run of 10 games without defeat (6W,4D) when they take on Thailand in the Round of 16.
Uzbekistan finished 2nd in Group B behind Australia, conceding just once across their three fixtures.
Meanwhile, Thailand are yet to concede this tournament, but have also failed to fire in their last two matches.
Uzbekistan has face Thailand twice in the past decade, winning both fixtures 2-0.
I’m taking Uzbekistan to progress through to the quarterfinals in a low scoring affair.
Group F winners Saudi Arabia have been dealt a rough draw, as they prepare to take on Group E runners up and warm favourites, South Korea.
The Saudi’s will be confident they can spring an upset here, after going eight games without defeat, winning six of those fixtures and conceding just one goal across the trip!
Similarly, South Korea are unbeaten in 11 games (7W,2D), but enter this one off the back of consecutive draws.
Not much separates these two sides in the way of form, I have them finishing regular time on level terms, with the match to be won in extra time or penalties.
Bahrain vs Japan is shaping up to be one of the more lopsided contests in the Round of 16.
Bahrain defeated minnows Jordan and Malaysia to clinch top of Group E after South Korea imploded.
Meanwhile, Japan finished 2nd in Group D thanks to a defeat against Iraq, a game in which they dominated in every facet except the score.
Ayase Ueda has been a standout performer for the Blue Samurai, scoring three goals in the group stage, including a brace last time out.
I’m backing Japan to win this gamely a 2+ goals margin, combined with a Ueda scoring anytime.
The Round of 16 wraps up on Thursday morning (AEST) when Iran take aim at Syria.
Iran enters this fixture in tremendous form, undefeated in 16 games, with 14 wins and two draws!
Alternatively, Syria has won just four times across the same trip (4D,8L).
Iran has won their last four fixtures against Syria, with three of those victories accompanied by 3+ goal margins.
I’m backing Iran to progress comfortably here.