Australia vs New Zealand prediction: WORLD: Friendly International betting tips on match 2022-09-21 10:00.
It’s been 100 years since Australia and New Zealand both made their international football debuts with a series of friendlies in 1922, and the tight-knit neighbours will celebrate a centenary of achievements with a home-and away-series this week. The first leg at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium also doubles as Australia’s final appearance on home soil prior to the upcoming World Cup.
Socceroos manager Graham Arnold, who scored more international goals (six) against New Zealand than any other nation, has opted not to use this series to discover his World Cup starting XI, selecting only 14 players with ten or more international caps in a 31-man squad. “It's a squad chosen, in part, with an eye to the future, it's all about developing and giving youngsters an opportunity.” Arnold is likely to prioritise European-based household names such as Aaron Mooy, Awer Mabil and captain Mat Ryan for the home leg before releasing them early and allowing the Australian-based contingent to take over for Sunday’s return leg in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s first meeting with Australia since 2011 will also be the first time they step out onto the pitch since their heartbreaking 0-1 World Cup Qualification loss to Costa Rica in Qatar. It could be the penultimate match for head coach Danny Hay, whose contract expires at the end of October, especially after he expressed frustration with the FA’s decision to not play against any opposition for at least six months following this two-legged tie. The All Whites will be missing some key starters for this leg, with Sarpreet Singh and Clayton Lewis injured, Kosta Barbarouses suspended and Marco Rojas omitted.
The visitors have not scored against non-Oceanian opposition in three attempts (D1, L2) and with just one win from their last 22 meetings against current top 100-ranked nations (D4, L17), Hay has an enormous task on his hands to secure a win – particularly after the team was afforded time for just one training session as a complete squad during the week.
Players to watch: Martin Boyle is chasing his first goal for Australia in almost 12 months after three goalscoring appearances for Hibernian this season, whilst New Zealand’s Ben Waine looks set for his sixth cap after scoring in two Australia Cup wins for Wellington during his off-season.
Hot stat: Australia have not lost as pre-match favourites since January 2019 (W14, D3).