Tunisia v Australia predictions: Carthage Eagles can claim vital victory

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Tunisia v Australia in World Cup Group D on Saturday.

Where to watch

BBC One, 10am Saturday

Best bets

Tunisia to win 1-0
1pt 6-1 bet365

Tunisia to win 2-0
1pt 6-1bet365, Hills

Tunisia demonstrated their defensive quality in a 0-0 draw with Denmark on Tuesday and they should be backed to grind out a vital victory over Australia, who were outclassed by France in their opening Group D game.

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Match preview

A few hours after Saudi Arabia's remarkable 2-1 win over Argentina, Australia briefly threatened to cause another huge upset against World Cup holders France.

The Socceroos went 1-0 up against the world champions thanks to a ninth-minute goal from Craig Goodwin but Les Bleus roared back to lead 2-1 at half-time on their way to a comprehensive 4-1 victory in Group D.

The 18 minutes during which Australia led their star-studded opponents may prove to be the highlight of their campaign as they face tough group fixtures against Tunisia and Denmark.

The betting market certainly favours Tunisia, who were 9-5 outsiders for this fixture before the start of the tournament but are likely to go off closer to 11-10 after a creditable goalless draw with Denmark on matchday one.

The Carthage Eagles survived a 95th-minute VAR scare when referee Cesar Ramos checked a possible handball in the penalty area by defender Yassine Meriah, but a defeat would have been harsh given their committed and disciplined performance.

Tunisia's defensive display against the Danes, who reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and impressed in World Cup qualifying and this year's Nations League, merited a point and Australia may struggle to create chances against them.

The north Africans have conceded five goals in their last nine internationals and all five of those came in September's friendly defeat to World Cup favourites Brazil.

They beat Chile 2-0 and Japan 3-0 at June's Kirin Cup and should be capable of keeping Australia's limited forwards quiet.

The Socceroos hope to welcome back Verona playmaker Ajdin Hrustic, who missed the France game due to an ankle problem, but he is unlikely to be at his sharpest having played only 222 minutes of Serie A football this season.

Hibernian forward Martin Boyle, one of Australia's main goal threats, was ruled out of the tournament before the clash with France and Goodwin's goal against the world champions was their only shot on target.

As well as keeping eight clean sheets in their last nine games, Tunisia conceded only three goals in five matches at this year's Africa Cup of Nations and they are capable of shutting out the Socceroos.

With a matchday-three clash against France to come, Jalel Kadri's men know the significance of taking maximum points against Australia. Montpellier forward Wahbi Khazri should come into the side after missing out against Denmark and splitting stakes on a 1-0 and 2-0 Tunisia victory looks the best correct-score strategy.

Key stat

Tunisia have kept eight clean sheets in their last nine matches.

Team news

Tunisia
Wahbi Khazri did not feature in the draw with Denmark but is expected to return against the Socceroos.

Australia
Key man Ajdin Hrustic (ankle) missed the defeat to France but could be fit enough to start.

Probable teams

Tunisia (3-4-2-1) Dahmen; Bronn, Meriah, Talbi; Drager, Skhiri, Laidouni, Abdi; Khazri, Msakni; Jebali

Australia (4-1-4-1) Ryan; Atkinson, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Mooy; Leckie, Hrustic, Irvine, Goodwin; Duke

Inside info

Tunisia

Top scorer in probable team Wahbi Khazri
Star player Wahbi Khazri
Penalty taker Wahbi Khazri
Assist ace Youssef Msakni
Set-piece aerial threat Montassar Talbi
Card magnet Ali Abdi

Australia

Top scorer in probable team Mathew Leckie
Star player Ajdin Hrustic
Penalty taker Aaron Mooy
Assist ace Ajdin Hrustic
Set-piece aerial threat Harry Souttar
Card magnet Jackson Irvine

Tunisia v Australia Bet Builder

Tunisia to win
The Carthage Eagles should kick on after a promising draw with Denmark
Under 2.5 goals
Australia scored with their only shot on target against France and are short of attacking quality
Both teams to receive a card
This bet copped in Tunisia's opener while the Socceroos had three bookings against Les Bleus

Price guide 9-2 with bet365