Go Big or Go Home
After failing to get a direct ticket for the 2022 World Cup, Australia and Peru will have one more chance. And that’s it. There will be no more. The thing is that only one can take advantage of such an opportunity.
Whoever wins on Monday will return to Qatar in November. The loser will go home to start preparing for the 2026 qualifiers. The White and Reds dominate the soccer odds, but the Aussies haven’t missed a WC since 2006.
Let’s check the latest soccer news, stats, injury reports, and World Cup odds for Netherlands vs Poland.
Australia: Not their First Rodeo
Four years ago, Australia faced Honduras in the intercontinental play-off. Back then, it was a two-game series. The first match, in San Pedro Sula, finished with a goalless draw. Five days later, in Sydney, the Aussies won 3-1 with Mile Jedinak as the Man of the Match after scoring all three goals.
On the road to Qatar world cup soccer 2022, the Aussies were able to fulfill expectations in the second round of the Asian qualifiers. They finished atop Group B thanks to a perfect 8-0-0 record, 28 goals for and only two against.
So, what happened? Well, in the third round, the Aussies finally met real contenders. Japan and Saudi Arabia to be more specific. They finished third, forcing them to face the United Arab Emirates for the right to face Peru. The Aussies suffered a little but ended up winning 2-1. Jackson Irvine and Ajdin Hrustic were the scorers. Hrustic scored the winning goal with only six minutes left in the game. Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan also deserves a lot of credit as the UAE dominated possession and finished with four shots on goal.
Summing up, it has been a long journey. The bad news, for them, is that it hasn’t been enough to be considered the betting online favorites. The Aussies are offering a +335 price to win straight up. For bettors it could end up being good news. Why? Because a $100 wager could turn into a $435 payout.
Peru: In Gareca They Trust
Four years ago, head coach Ricardo Gareca led Peru to its first World Cup in 36 years. Like Australia, the White and Reds couldn’t grab a direct ticket and that’s why they had to face New Zealand. The first leg finished with a goalless draw while they won the second 2-0.
Gareca was determined to win a direct ticket on the road to Qatar 2022, but CONMEBOL qualifiers aren’t easy. Once again, Peru finished in fifth place thanks to a 7-3-8 record, 19 goals for and 22 against. They won the right to face Australia in the last fixture.
Most recently, the White and Reds faced New Zealand in a friendly match and won 1-0 with a goal from Gianluca Lapadula. Veteran Paolo Guerrero is out due to injury, meaning Lapadula will have to lead the attacking unit on Monday. Christian Cueva, who scored five goals during the qualifiers, will have a big role as well.
The South Americans dominate the Las Vegas odds at an even-money price. Checking their last five games away from home, it’s clear they’re used to putting up a good fight. They only won two of those games, but all three losses were 1-0. Limiting Lionel Messi and Argentina to one goal isn’t easy at all, — just ask the Italians.
Other than Guerrero, there are no major injuries to report.
Australia vs Peru Head-to-Head
This will be the second time that Australia and Peru collide in an official match. The first one was four years ago, in the Group Stage of the 2018 World Cup, which was hosted by Russia. The Red and White won 2-0 with goals from Andre Carillo and Paolo Guerrero. Carillo is expected to play on Monday.
Australia vs Peru Game Information
- Date: Monday
- Time: 2 p.m. ET
- Location: Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Doha
- Australia vs Peru Live Stream: fuboTV
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Australia vs Peru Betting Lines
| Team | Handicap | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
| Australia | +½ -130 | +335 | 2 -105 o | ½ -135 o / ½ +105 u |
| Peru | -½ Ev | Ev | 2 -125 u | 1½ +155 o / 1½ -190 u |
| Draw | +215 |
Australia vs Peru Prediction
Fifth place sounds mediocre but let’s be honest: While Peru faced Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, to name a few, Australia faced Kuwait, China and Vietnam. In other words, there’s a huge difference. That doesn’t mean the Aussies won’t put up a good fight, but the White and Reds, who scored in eight of their last 10 games, should come on top.
Yes, Guerrero is out, but Lapadula won’t be alone. Playing 4-5-1 allows the midfielders to constantly join him. That’s why we recommend you include Peru’s total in your soccer picks.
Score Prediction: Peru 2, Australia 1
