Australia will be hoping to get their World Cup qualification campaign off to a winning start when they travel to Kuwait on Wednesday morning (1.30am AEST).
The Socceroos have qualified for each of the last four tournaments, although they did suffer a disappointing quarter-final exit to the UAE at January’s Asia Cup.
Kuwait vs Australia latest odds
Having run out 4-0 winners in their most recent friendly clash, Australia are 1.36 favourites with Sportsbet to come out on top in the Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium.
Romeo Jozak’s men are top of Group B after opening the campaign with a 7-0 victory over Nepal, but are 7.00 outsiders to make it two wins from two.
Just two of the 12 previous encounters between this pair have resulted in draws, but there are odds of 4.00 available on this one finishing up all square.
Kuwait vs Australia team news
Tom Rogic, Bailey Wright and Chris Ikonomidis have all been left out due to fitness issues, with Harry Souttar the only uncapped player in the squad.
Sultan Al Enezi, Fahad Al Ansari and Fahad Al Enezi are the only players in the home squad to play their club football outside of the domestic league.
Kuwait vs Australia preview
Although rarely outplayed, Graham Arnold’s team crashed out of January’s Asian Cup campaign largely due to a failure to the put the ball in the net – having drawn a blank in front of goal in both of the final two games.
Without a goal in three fixtures following a 1-0 friendly defeat away to South Korea back in June, they may struggle to break down a Blue Wave backline that has conceded just one first-half goal in four fixtures.
Kuwait vs Australia predictions
Indeed, odds of 2.00 appear generous on more goals being scored in the second half with both sides struggling to keep cleansheets after the half-time break in recent matches.
Odds correct at the time of publish. Please gamble responsibly. Check out the latest football odds at Sportsbet.
Highest-scoring half: second for a 1pt stake at 2.00 with Sportsbet
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