China vs Australia Prediction, 18:00 March 25: No surprises

Pre-match review

China are dreaming of their second appearance at a World Cup, having made their debut in 2002. They qualified for the second round in dramatic fashion, with Thailand tied on points, goal difference, goals scored and goals conceded. However, thanks to a better head-to-head record, China advanced to the third round.

In the third qualifying round, China (6 points) are bottom of the group with 2 wins and 5 losses from 7 matches. In their most recent match, coach Branko Ivankovic's team lost 0-1 away to Saudi Arabia last week. This defeat leaves them behind Bahrain and Indonesia on goal difference in the race for a place in the play-off round.

Meanwhile, Australia won all six of their 2026 World Cup qualifying matches to advance to the third round. However, they have faced a tougher test this time around. After losing 1-0 to Bahrain and drawing 0-0 with Indonesia, coach Graham Arnold has decided to resign.

His successor, Tony Popovic, got off to a flying start with a win over China, but the team have since drawn three consecutive games against Japan, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

However, coach Popovic can rest easy after his team just won 5-1 against Indonesia in the most recent match last week. In that match, Jackson Irvine scored twice, while Martin Boyle, Nishan Velupillay and Lewis Miller also scored to help Australia win big.

Australia are currently second in Group C with 10 points, just one point ahead of Saudi Arabia, and will look to consolidate their position with a first away win in the third qualifying round, when they face China tonight.

Form, head-to-head history

China have never beaten Australia in their last three World Cup qualifiers. China's last win over Australia came in June 2008.

Australia have drawn three consecutive away games in World Cup qualifying, but will surely have added confidence after a 5-1 thrashing of Indonesia.

Force information

China's second-highest scorer Wu Lei is injured and has been left out of the squad. Lin Liangming is suspended after receiving a red card against Saudi Arabia, while Tyias Browning is recovering and is a doubt.

Australia will be without Adam Taggart and Kusini Yengi due to injury.

Expected lineup:

China: D. Wang; Yang, S. Jiang, Han, L. Li; S. Wang, Xie; Wei, Cao, Abduweli; Zhang

Australia: Ryan; Geria, Burgess, Rowles; Miller, Irvine, O'Neill, Behich; Goodwin, Velupillay; Borrello

Predicted result: China 1-3 Australia

Trong Dat

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nhan-dinh-trung-quoc-vs-australia-18h00-ngay-253-khong-co-bat-ngo-post1728041.tpo