A finely poised match after one of many bore draws on the International scene, Will Dyer (@w2dyer) previews Australia's chances of World Cup qualification Down Under. Will the jollies romp home?
Australia v Honduras | Wednesday 15th November 2017, 09:00
The first leg was an interesting one in this tie. You could hardly hear yourself think from the home crowd’s instruments and consequently Honduras came out of the traps quicker. Houston Dynamo winger Rommel Quioto exploiting the left-hand side throughout the opening half-hour.
A few half chances were constructed in the first-half before Australia settled into the game and dominated proceedings in the second forty-five. As with many of the Internationals in the last week, the game shouldn’t really have ended 0-0, with the pitch quality playing a big part in that.
Squeaky Aussie Bums
Honduras could be left to rue an overall disappointing performance but with the away goals rule and a clean sheet from the first leg, Australian bums will be twitching whenever Honduras go close.
Should Los Catrachos get a goal then the Socceroos will have to find the back of the net twice and that’s a daunting prospect when the pressures on this much. As a result, it will play on the minds of Ange Postecoglou and the Aussie players, so I’m expecting some nervy defending at times.
60% of the Honduras squad play in the domestic league so this trip to Australia will be a little out of many of their comfort zones, whilst the Australian team contains just four out of 23 players plying their trade in the A-League.
Lost Catrachos
The bookies rate Australia at a 57% chance of World Cup qualification in 90 minutes, which is a price that seems quite heavily influenced by the first-leg performances of both sides after Australia were rated 3/1 ‘dogs in the reverse.
I have to agree with that line but there’s not much value to be had backing that. Instead I’m looking towards Australia to score over 1.5 goals at 10/11 with Betfair. The Socceroos have scored two or more goals eight of their last 10 home World Cup qualifiers with only Japan and Syria denying them of more in 90 minutes.
With the away goals rule on their mind, I think Australia will be happy to commit men forward throughout this game rather take their chances nicking this 1-0.
In the home leg against Syria they had the chances to be well out of sight in normal time. Honduras conceded in seven of their eight previous away World Cup qualifiers this campaign and although only half of those games saw them ship two or more that was against nations they know inside-out from regular North and Central American tournaments.
Best Bets
Australia v Honduras – Australia to score over 1.5 goals (10/11 Betfair)
