Australia vs Indonesia Prediction: Tips and Best Bets Preview

The Asian Cup knockout rounds begin and Nathan Joyes provides his Australia vs Indonesia prediction, tips and best bets preview.

Despite not blowing teams away, Graham Arnold’s team have shown a real resilient defence which Indonesia may struggle to break down.

Australia vs Indonesia Prediction and Tips Preview

1. Australia vs Indonesia Tip 1: Australia Win and Under 3.5 Goals
2. Australia vs Indonesia Tip 2: Australia win to Nil
3. Australia vs Indonesia Tip 3: No Goal Before 25:00

In this article:

• Australia vs Indonesia Team News
• Australia vs Indonesia Stats Preview
• How to watch Australia vs Indonesia
• Safer Gambling

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Australia vs Indonesia Tip 1: Socceroos to keep Tim Garuda at arm’s lengt

Qatar, Asian Cup, Sunday, January 28th, 11:30 (UK)

While Australia have gone about their business in a professional manner, Indonesia are receiving all the plaudits, and they deserve them. This is the first time they have qualified for the round of 16, and it’s worth pointing out they have the youngest squad at the Asian Cup.

Their sole victory over Vietnam, thanks to Asnawi Mangkualam’s penalty, was enough to see them qualify in the third spot. However, 3-1 defeats to tournament favourites Japan and Iraq show their limitations – and Australia should prove to be a step too far.

Two narrow wins over Syria and India before a 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan didn’t impress a large part of the Socceroo fanbase, who lacked a cutting edge in front of goal.

However, at the other end of the pitch is where they shined. Leicester’s Harry Souttar has looked extremely comfortable throughout the groups, and he’s not one who’s easy to pass – both in the air and on the ground.

Australia, as a whole, are far more physical than Indonesia, and they should have few issues doing what they did to India and Syria in this fixture, too.

Their lack of goalscoring ability is a concern, which is why they won’t be replicating Japan and Iraq’s scoreline. A professional job is once again a possibility as Australia look to secure a final eight spot.

• Australia vs Indonesia Tip 1: Australia Win and Under 3.5 Goals
• Best Odds: 2.10
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Australia vs Indonesia Tip 2: Clean sheet on the cards

Prior to the Asian Cup kicking off, Australia were on a four-match unbeaten run without conceding.

This extended to six matches after their 2-0 and 1-0 victories over India and Syria, respectively, only for Uzbekistan to spoil the party in their 1-1 draw.

Azizbek Turgenboev’s header proved Uzbekistan were an aerial threat others will need to be wary of, but this isn’t a strong area of Indonesia’s game.

Their first goal of the tournament vs Iraq saw a mazy run from Yakob Sayuri before his cross found Marselino Ferdinan unmarked. However, Iraq’s defence were all at sea and could have easily avoided conceding.

Japan switched off at a long throw in deep into added time when they were already 3-0 up, making a mistake which saw Sandy Walsh tap home from close range. The favourites have conceded a few weak goals – and this was one of them – and Australia’s defence has been far more assured.

The Socceroos will have to be careful at the back, but Graham Arnold’s defence has been very switched on to date. One lapse in concentration won’t be accepted, and they can revert back to doing what they do best – keeping clean sheets.

• Australia vs Indonesia Tip 2: Australia Win to Nil
• Best Odds: 1.83
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Australia vs Indonesia Tip 3: Cagey opening to knockout fixture

Australia have found it extremely difficult to break teams down at this year’s Asian Cup. Their first two matches against India and Syria were both 0-0 at half-time, and their final match vs Uzbekistan was heading in the same direction until Martin Boyle tucked home a rather controversial penalty in added time.

This is why certain fans have been critical of Graham Arnold’s tactics, which lack initiative, relying on weaker nations to either grow tired or alternatively have a lapse in concentration, which Australia can take advantage of.

All three games for Australia to date saw extremely limited action or shots on goal in the opening 30 minutes. Indonesia represents another nation that is far inferior to Australia and is likely to be careful in the opening exchanges. If they fall behind early, it’ll be an extremely tall order to get back into the match.

Expect a lethargic opening 25 minutes or so before the match springs into life in the second half. If it isn’t going to be entertaining, we may as well pocket from it.

• Australia vs Indonesia Tip 3: No Goal Before 25:00
• Best Odds: 1.83
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Australia vs Indonesia Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, January 26th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

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Australia vs Indonesia Team News Preview: Striker set to miss first knockout

Australia’s preferred striker Mitchell Duke is likely to sit their clash out against Indonesia with a thigh injury. The 33-year-old led the line against India and Syria but missed out against Uzbekistan and it’s unlikely he’ll be back in time to feature on Sunday.

“I can be honest and say Mitchell Duke is out with a hamstring,” Graham Arnold said to local reporters. “It’ll be one game at a time for him. But we’ll see where that lands over the next week. He had a bit of a scan and he’s got a small strain so he’ll be out.”

“So it’ll be an opportunity for me to have a look at other players as well and against good opposition it’ll be a great test.”

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Australia vs Indonesia Stats Preview:

• This will be the first meeting between the two nations since 2010.
• Australia and Indonesia have met on seven occasions, with the Socceroos coming out on top in each fixture.
• You have to go back to their first meeting in 1973 the last time Australia conceded to Indonesia.
• Australia kept two clean sheets in the group stage; Indonesia kept one.
• The Socceroos kept six clean sheets in a row until Uzbekistan scored in their 1-1 draw.

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How To Watch

• Australia vs Indonesia, Asian Cup.
• Date and Time: Sunday, January 28th, 11:30 (UK)
• How to Watch or Stream on TV (UK): Triller+, bet365, Unibet

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SAFER GAMBLING

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.