Australia and Egypt are looking to continue their progress at the FIFA World Cup when they square off in a round of 32 clash.
The Socceroos have been decent in the competition but could find things difficult against the North Africans, who are looking solid.
Key Stats
- Australia failed to win their last two group stage matches.
- Australia are winless in five of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Egypt were unbeaten in their three group stage matches.
- Egypt are unbeaten in six of their last seven matches in all competitions.
One Previous Meeting
The only previous meeting between Australia and Egypt was a friendly back in 2010, which ended 3-0 in favour of the North Africans.
Socceroos Looking Unconvincing
Australia come into this clash off the back of a 0-0 draw with Paraguay in their final group stage fixture. They struggled to create much going forward and finished with just two attempts on target throughout the contest.
That result was enough to see them finish second in Group D and secure a place in the round of 32. However, their campaign appears to be going downhill as they are winless in their last two matches after claiming a 2-0 victory over Turkey in their opening fixture.
Australia’s overall form has also been unconvincing, having failed to win five of their last six matches. They have also struggled to get going in attack, failing to score in three of those fixtures.
Pharaohs Showing Determination
Egypt are also coming off a draw, having been held to a 1-1 scoreline by Iran in their final group stage fixture. They struck first early in the contest through Mahmoud Saber but were pegged back before the break.
That result means Egypt are unbeaten at this World Cup and secured a round of 32 berth after finishing second in Group G. Among the results for Hossam Hassan’s team so far is a 3-1 victory over New Zealand in their second fixture.
Egypt's showing in North America is an extension of their overall form, having gone unbeaten in six of their last seven matches in all competitions. The Pharaohs have also shown some attacking quality, scoring in six of those seven fixtures.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Australia (3-4-3): Patrick Beach; Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar, Lucas Herrington; Aziz Behic, Aiden O’Neill, Jackson Irvine, Jordan Bos; Conor Metcalfe, Cristian Volpato, Nestory Irankunda.
Australia are likely to still be without forward Matthew Leckie, who missed the final group stage fixture with a hamstring injury. Irankunda is expected to lead the line once again while Souttar is set to continue at the back.
Egypt (4-2-3-1): Oufa Shobeir; Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Ahmed Fatouh; Mohanad Lasheen, Mahmoud Saber; Ziko, Emam Ashour, Trezeguet; Omar Marmoush.
Captain Mohamed Salah is a major doubt for Egypt after going off injured in the final group fixture. Marmoush is likely to return to the starting line-up after sitting out the draw with Iran, while Yasser Ibrahim is also expected to feature at the heart of the defence.