Syria vs. India (Tuesday, 11.30am)
© Reuters
Syria and India will square off for the first time at the Asian Cup on the final matchday of Group B play on Tuesday at Al Bayt Stadium.
Heading into this encounter, the Syrians are third in the group following a 1-0 loss to Australia, a point above the Blue Tigers, who suffered their second defeat of the tournament, 3-0 against Uzbekistan.
We say: Syria 1-0 India
Injuries and mental lapses have come back to bite India throughout the tournament, and Syria do not make nearly as many mistakes as the Blue Tigers, which is why we are giving the Syrians the edge in this contest.
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Australia vs. Uzbekistan (Tuesday, 11.30am)
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The Group B winner will be decided on Tuesday at Al Janoud Stadium as Australia face Uzbekistan in their final Asian Cup affair before the knockout stage.
A narrow 1-0 victory over Syria on matchday two guarantees the Socceroos will feature in the round of 16, while Uzbekistan are two points behind them in second following a convincing 3-0 triumph versus India.
We say: Australia 0-0 Uzbekistan
Four years ago, the Aussies beat the White Wolves in the last 16 on penalties after the match ended in a 0-0 draw, and given how sharp both sides have been defensively of late, we could be in for a similar outcome.
While first place is up for grabs, we do not expect to see a great sense of urgency from either team, with Australia ensured of a place in the last 16 and Uzbekistan looking likely to join them, barring a calamity by themselves and a sudden burst of goals from Syria.
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Hong Kong vs. Palestine (Tuesday, 3.00pm)
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In the final match of Group C action at the Asian Cup, Hong Kong will battle Palestine on Tuesday at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.
The Dragons remained at the bottom of that group after a narrow 1-0 defeat versus Iran on Friday, with the Palestinians moving a point above them thanks to a 1-1 draw with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
We say: Hong Kong 1-2 Palestine
Even a victory may not be enough to send the Palestinians through, but they look much more convincing going forward than their Tuesday opponents.
Hong Kong have shown they can compete, but their opening two games suggest that they will have little possession in this match and having to defend for long stretches could come with a lot of fatigue.
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Iran vs. UAE (Tuesday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) can secure a spot in the last 16 of the Asian Cup with a victory over Iran on Tuesday at Education City Stadium.
Team Melli assured themselves a place in the next round with a 1-0 win over Hong Kong on matchday two, while the UAE could only manage a 1-1 draw with Palestine.
We say: Iran 1-0 United Arab Emirates
Iran have won their last five meetings with the United Arab Emirates and did not concede a single goal in any of those encounters.
Seeing as this is a match for first place and avoiding the host nation next, we expect a sense of urgency from each, but with their most experienced defender suspended, the UAE may have a few more holes in their backline.
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Oliver Thomas
