Australia host Japan in Group D of the 2026 AFC FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the Opus Stadium. The Socceroos are chasing a place at the World Cup and with the already qualified Japanese leaving out key players, a home win can be expected here.
Australia arrive for this clash following a 2-0 victory over China in their previous fixture in the qualifiers. That was their second straight win following a tough start and it moves them up to second in the table, three points above Saudi Arabia in third.
With two matches left, Australia need just four more points to book a ticket to what would be their seventh World Cup appearance. They have scored 13 goals in eight qualifying matches and coach Graham Arnold will be keen to maintain that momentum against a rotated Japan side.
Japan arrive for this match after a 0-0 home draw with Saudi Arabia last time out in the qualifiers, maintaining their unbeaten run in Group D. The result had no adverse effect as they had already secured a spot in their eighth World Cup, sitting top of the group with a seven-point lead.
The Blue Samurai have dominated this group and are the leading scorers with 24 goals scored. However, with qualification already sealed, manager Hajime Moriyasu may be looking to experiment with some fringe players.
How the bookies view it: Eyes on attack
The bookies appear to be split on this one with a win for Australia priced at 17/10 with BoyleSports, who are also offering odds of 8/5 for a Japan victory. A draw is set at odds of 2/1 by BoyleSports.
Head to head: Japan on top
Japan have claimed six wins and as many draws while Australia have just two victories from 14 previous meetings. Both teams battled to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture.
Players to watch: Dependable Boyle
Australia’s Martin Boyle scored 20 goals for Hibernian this season, including four in his last five games. He will be looking to carry that form into the national team and playing alongside Brandon Borrello, could help the hosts score over 0.5 goals at 1/3 on BoyleSports.
Daichi Kamada often has an eye for goals from midfield and has netted nine times for the Japanese national team. He could combine with Keito Nakamura to produce over 0.5 goals for the visitors at 1/3 with BoyleSports.
Probable lineups
Australia will be without Harry Souttar, Jackson Irvine and Mathew Leckie. However, Boyle, Borello and Milos Degenek are expected to start.
Japan will be without Kaoru Mitoma, Hidemasa Morita, Takumi Minamino and Ayase Ueda. However, Wataru Endo, Daichi Kamada and Keito Nakamura are expected to start.
Australia: Ryan, Geria, Degenek, Burgess, Miller, O’neil, Teague, Behich, Boyle, Borrello, Boyle, Borello, Duke
Japan: Suzuki, Machida, Seko, Watanabe, Takai, Nakamura, Kamada, Kubo, Endo, Machino, Hosoya
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in 10 of their 14 meetings including the reverse fixture and a repeat can be considered at 20/23 with BoyleSports. Four of Australia’s last six home games have produced a goal in each half and a similar outcome can be considered at evens with BoyleSports.
Australia have scored in both halves in four of their last six home matches and could be set for a similar outcome at 7/2 with BoyleSports.
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