South Korea VS Syria Match Prediction

These sides have met just four times, with South Korea earning two wins and two draws.  Here's how those matches finished:

Sep 6, 2016: Syria 0-0 S. Korea (Qualifiers)
Dec 30, 2010: S. Korea 1-0 Syria (Friendly)
Oct 11, 2006: S. Korea 1-1 Syria (Asian Cup Qualifiers)
Feb 22, 2006: Syria 1-2 S. Korea (Asian Cup Qualifiers)

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Korea Republic vs Syria Prediction

South Korea will come out of this match knowing that they had been in a real battle, but they will do just enough to win it.

Correct Score Prediction: Korea Republic 1-0 Syria

Korea Republic vs Syria Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

South Korea are at 1/5 to win, a draw is at 9/2, and a Syria win is at 16/1.

Syria's double chance odds are at 10/3, while S. Korea's is at just 1/40.

Both teams to score is at 2/1 for yes and 4/11 for no.

A 1-0 win for South Korea could bring you 8/1 odds if correct.

Reason: The bookmakers believe that South Korea will win here because they are at home, have a better and more complete side, and because of the history between the two.  However, they aren't expected to by much as the other odds show because Syria have proven to have a very stubborn and sturdy defence.
 

Team News

German manager Uli Stielike changed his tactics a little bit after half time in the 1-0 loss to China.  Despite having most of the ball, they were having to shoot from long range, and this wasn't working out at all.  So they tried to put on some height, but that didn't work either.  Sometimes you just meet a team that's organized to win on home soil, and that happened on Thursday.  They will be very happy to see that Son of Tottenham fame will be back in the lineup after serving a suspension.

Key Man

South Korea struggled in China to create chances, but they had most of the ball.  This match is likely to have a lot of the same circumstances involved, so central midfielder and captain Ki Sung-Yueng will have to play a major role here.  The Swansea man is a great passer of the ball and has a great engine and height, but he needs to show more tenacity and a bit more cutting edge in this match and going forward.  South Korea just don't look like they are tough enough sometimes, and he could go a long way in helping correct that perception.  

Team Form

South Korea have two losses, two wins, and one draw in their last five qualifiers.  They lost 1-0 at China on Thursday.  

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

Team News

Ayman Hakeem will almost certainly decide to keep his side fully intact after an impressive and important win over the Uzbeks on Thursday.  He has a blueprint to look at as well as he can surely take notes from China on how to frustrate South Korea's side.  The game plan has to be to sit back and force long range shots.  But most importantly, his side will have to come up with a way to stop Son from wreaking absolute havoc upon them.

Key Man

23 year old striker turned attacking midfielder Omar Kharbin showcased nerves of steel as he coolly slotted home a paneka penalty in the 91st minute to win the game against Uzbekistan, and he can be the man to shock South Korean souls in this one as well.  Kharbin is in great form for his country as well, and is the most valuable player in this side on the market right now due to his age.  With a big performance here, he might just see Europe come calling for his services.  

Team Form

Syria have two wins, two draws, and one loss in their last five qualifiers.  They won 1-0 in Malaysia on Thursday against Uzbekistan with a 91st minute penalty from Omar Kharbin.

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

South Korea are coming under a lot of pressure at the moment as they are just faltering away. Iran look to have ran away with an automatic spot already, but the South Koreans are making hard work out of a situation that should have been much easier than this. This added pressure might affect them negatively as they go home for this match, especially against a team in Syria that literally have nothing to lose. A point or a win for Syria would be huge, but there is no pressure on them to succeed in the slightest. They are playing well house money, and that makes them very dangerous.

With those results on Thursday, things have really tightened up in Group A. South Korea are now just two points ahead of Syria and one point ahead of Uzbekistan for second place. A Syria win could take them to second in the group, which would be astounding given their war-ravaged nation.