Syria vs India: Preview, Prediction and Odds

India has encountered a challenging start to the AFC Asian Cup, facing two losses in their initial two matches. Their upcoming opponent, Syria, presents a seemingly more manageable challenge on paper. 

Both teams find themselves in a must-win situation, with Syria holding 1 point and India yet to secure any points in the tournament.

Syria vs India: Match Preview

India’s prospects in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 hang in the balance following consecutive defeats to Australia and Uzbekistan at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. In the latest match against Uzbekistan, the Blue Tigers suffered a humiliating 0-3 loss with goals from Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Igor Sergeev, and Sherzod Nasrullaev.

Despite the challenging situation, India still has a slim chance to qualify for the round of 16 on the last matchday of Group B. To do so, they must secure a victory, preferably with a significant goal margin, eliminating Syria in the process. India’s fate will then hinge on the performances of third-placed teams from other groups.

In a tournament featuring 24 teams, the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams will advance to the round of 16. Syria, India’s final group stage opponent, also has an opportunity to qualify directly as a second-placed team by defeating India, while Australia beats Uzbekistan.

In this crucial match, a draw would leave Syria with 2 points, possibly insufficient for advancement. With only 4 out of 6 group third places securing a spot in the round of 16, both India and Syria recognize the vital importance of securing a victory for tournament survival.

The scenario sets the stage for an intense match on the final matchday, with both teams seeking a win to keep their hopes alive in the AFC Asian Cup. The simultaneous kick-off of both Group B games, with India facing Syria at the Al Bayt Stadium and Australia taking on Uzbekistan at the Al Janoub Stadium on January 23 at 5 pm IST, adds an element of suspense and anticipation to the decisive encounters. The outcome will determine the fate of India and Syria in the tournament, intensifying the competition as they vie for a place in the knockout stage.

Syria vs India: Team News

India’s star midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad showed improved fitness and confidence in the team’s first training session after the 3-0 defeat to Uzbekistan. The midfielder, whose creativity was missed in the first two AFC Asian Cup fixtures, participated fully in the session. Keralite player Rahul KP, who made an impact as a substitute against Uzbekistan, had an extensive session with the team psychologist. The entire team displayed a positive outlook in training, emphasizing their determination to prove themselves against Syria in the must-win match for knockout stage contention.

While Gurpreet Singh Sandhu remains the first-choice goalkeeper, the most likely change in the India lineup is Rahul KP starting instead of Manvir Singh, who was arguably the team’s best player in the second half against Uzbekistan.

On the other hand, Syria, maintaining consistency in their lineup between the matches against Uzbekistan and Australia, is expected to make minimal changes. Manager Héctor Cúper, satisfied with the team’s performance, is unlikely to introduce alterations after a 0-0 draw in the first match and a narrow 0-1 loss against Australia.

Syria vs India: Predicted Lineup

India’s predicted starting lineup

GK: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu | DF: Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Anirudh Thapa | MF: Suresh Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Apuia | FW: Naorem Mahesh Singh, Rahul KP, Sunil Chhetri.

Syria’s predicted starting lineup

GK: Ahmed Madanieh | DF: Thaer Krouma, Alham Ousou, Mouaiad Al Ajaan, Abdul Rahman Oues | MF: Mahmoud Al Aswad, Ezequiel Ham, Jalil Elias, Ammar Ramadan | FW: Ibrahim Hesar, Pablo Sabbag.

Syria vs India: Previous Encounters (H2H)

Previous Encounters between Syria and India:

23 Aug 2007: India 2-3 Syria (Nehru Cup)

29 Aug 2007: India 1-0 Syria (Nehru Cup)

29 Aug 2009: India 0-1 Syria (International Friendly)

31 Aug 2009: Syria 1-1 India (International Friendly)

22 Aug 2012: India 2-1 Syria (International Friendly)

16 Jul 2019: India 1-1 Syria (AIFF Intercontinental Cup)

Syria vs India: Prediction

In the opening half against Australia, India showcased a strong defensive performance, but their defensive stability crumbled in the subsequent match against Uzbekistan. Having conceded 5 goals in two matches without scoring any, India faces the necessity to review and adapt their tactics for the upcoming game.

Similarly, Syria enters the match having failed to score in their initial two games but conceding only once. This implies that Syria, too, will likely need to modify its approach for the upcoming fixture.

Despite both teams being goalless in the tournament, India has accumulated a total of 1.56 expected goals (xG), while Syria’s xG stands at 1.38. This indicates that both teams have struggled to convert some notable scoring opportunities in the tournament, including instances where they hit the posts.

Based on recent performances and player stats, the most likely outcome of the match is a win for India with a probability of 44.04%. A victory for Syria is predicted with a probability of 29.53%, and a draw is anticipated with a probability of 26.4%.

The most probable scoreline for an India win is 0-1, with a likelihood of 11.3%. Other potential scorelines for an India win include 1-2 (8.91%) and 0-2 (8.02%). For a Syria win, the most probable scoreline is 1-0 (8.85%). In the case of a draw, the likeliest scoreline is 1-1 (12.55%).

Syria vs India: Betting Tips

Betting tips:

Tip 1: Game to have expected goals less than 3

Tip 2: India to score first – yes

Tip 3: Draw has a major possibility.

Odds:

The highest odds on Syria are currently 1.283 at 1xBet

The highest odds on the Draw are currently 5.41 at 1xBet

The highest odds on India are currently 11.2 at 1xBet.

Syria vs India: Where to watch

Viewers can catch the Asian Cup exclusively on the CBS Sports Network, which holds the broadcasting rights for the entire 2024 tournament. For those in the UK, Triller TV is the platform to tune in and watch all the matches of the tournament.

In the United States, the Asian Cup can be viewed on Paramount+ and FuboTV, offering American audiences multiple options to enjoy the competition.

Meanwhile, the Syria vs India game in India can be watched on Sports18 and JioCinema.

Also Read: AFC Asian Cup 2023: All you need to know, groups, teams, top players and live streaming info