FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) - South Korea VS China Prediction

FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) - South Korea VS China
Match Time: 11-06-2024 19:00 Tuesday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Team Analysis
In the upcoming qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South Korea is set to play against China. Despite the hosts, the South Korean national team, already having qualified for the next round of selection, the match promises to be intriguing. Over the years, the South Korean team has consistently delivered strong performances, passing the qualification without a single defeat.

Their single draw came against Thailand in March 2024, where despite the Koreans having ball possession 78% of the time and hitting eight accurate shots, they were denied victory. The team comprises many players who play in the strongest European championships, contributing to the dynamic and active attack style of the team, making them clear favorites for the upcoming match.

China, situated second in the qualifying group, has a challenging task ahead. Even a defeat in the upcoming match will most likely not impact their position in the next round. The Chinese team would require a substantial loss against South Korea and a significant victory by Thailand over Singapore for that to happen. Historical data indicates that China has never achieved victory over South Korea on their home ground, making their goal to minimize the score difference or aim for a draw.

Head-to-Head
In the past five years, there have been four meetings between South Korea and China, with South Korea triumphing in all of them. The Chinese have never managed to secure a win, with their first meeting in the current qualifiers ending with China's defeat by 3:0.

Odds Analysis
Reviewing past records and current form, South Korea emerges as the favorite for the match. However, it's observed that South Korea, even against outsiders, often win their home matches with a minimum score, indicating it's likely to limit its total goals to under 2.5. Despite China being capable of scoring, there are larger odds on the total being less than 3.5.

In terms of corners, China averages about six per match, while South Korea averages about five. With China expected to play defensively, the total corners are predicted to be less than 8.5, indicating a strong focus on team defense more than creating scoring opportunities. Taking all factors into account, the likely outcome of the match is predicted to be a 2-0 victory for South Korea.

Pick: Under 3.5 goals