Football Betting Tips & Predictions

Australia vs Peru betting tips: World Cup Inter-Confederation play-off preview, predictions and odds


Australia last faced South American opposition in the inter-confederation play-offs 17 years ago, overcoming Uruguay on penalties on a famous night in Sydney. Having been beaten by the same opposition four years earlier, the Socceroos' competitive record against CONMEBOL nations is four wins, four draws and seven defeats.

Peru appeared in these play-offs for the first time five years ago, beating New Zealand 2-0. La Blanquirroja's only previous meeting with Australia came at the most recent World Cup, winning 2-0 in Sochi. In all, Peru have won both competitive games against Asian sides, also beating Iran 4-1 at Argentina '78. 

Under 2.5 goals is 8/13.

Under 2.5 goals and both teams to score NO is 20/21.

Peru to win and both teams to score NO is 7/4. 

Match preview

It all comes down to this with two nations 90, or possibly 120, minutes away from World Cup qualification via the inter-confederation play-offs.

Australia had to play a record-breaking 22 World Cup qualifiers to get to Russia 2018, coming through these play-offs, so are hoping for a repeat.

In the third round of Asian qualifying, Graham Arnold's men only won four of ten matches, finishing well adrift of Saudi Arabia and Japan.

So, last Tuesday, they faced the other third-place finisher United Arab Emirates in a one-off play-off semi-final in Al-Rayyan.

Early in the second half Jackson Irvine broke the deadlock, set up by Martin Boyle, only for the U.A.E. to equalise a mere four minutes later.

With the game set for extra time, Ajdin Hrustic's stunning long-range strike with just six minutes to go snatched a win for the Socceroos.

Australia have appeared at each of the last four World Cups, last failing to qualify two decades ago when they were beaten in a play-off by Uruguay.

So, will the Socceroos be returning to Qatar in November, or will they suffer more South American play-off heartbreak?

As for Peru, they won just 15 of 70 World Cup qualifiers for the tournaments between 2002 and 2014, finishing bottom or second bottom each time.

However, Ricardo Gareca has transformed Peruvian football since taking over as national team manager in 2015.

He ended la Blanquirroja's 36-year World Cup exile four years ago, before taking them to their first Copa América Final since 1975 the following summer.

In this cycle, los Incas finished fifth in the CONMEBOL standings, beating Paraguay 2-0 on the final matchday to secure that spot.

So, plenty of Peruvian fans are likely to make the pilgrimage to Qatar for this play-off, hoping to be returning in November.

The winners of this tie will face World Champions France, Tunisia and Denmark in November; what a prize that is.

Will Peru have too much quality at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, or can Australia spring a surprise?

Australia team news

Australia are without creative midfielder Tom Rogic who's withdrawn for personal reasons.

So, Tuesday's scorers Ajdin Hrustic and Jackson Irvine as well as Aaron Mooy, who hasn't played for club Shanghai Port since 9 January, will be the midfield.

Martin Boyle will be the creative force on the right-wing with Mathew Leckie lead the line, chosen over Jamie Maclaren.

Milos Degenek could return at centre-back, chosen over Kye Rowles, alongside Bailey Wright.

Captain Mat Ryan will win his 74th cap in goal, hoping to appear at a third World Cup come November.

Peru team news

Ricardo Gareca's team played a friendly against New Zealand eight days ago to fine-turn ahead of this one.

Their main marksman Gianluca Lapadula got the only goal of that game, his seventh for his adopted nation.

With Jefferson Farfán, Paolo Guerrero and Raúl Ruidíaz all not involved, the Italian-born forward will continue to lead the line.

André Carrillo and Christian Cueva, who both play in Saudi Arabia these days, are in contention and will flank Lapadula.

Vastly experienced midfielder Yoshimar Yotún will win his 113th cap, only sitting out 25 internationals since his debut 11 years ago.

Neither Renato Tapia or Edison Flores featured in that aforementioned friendly, but are expected to return for this one.

Pedro Gallese will captain the side in goal, while Aldo Corzo could keep his place at right-back if Luis Advíncula isn't fit.

CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 qualifying table:

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Ben Gray

Ben Gray

Arsenal fan – follow them over land and sea (and Leicester); sofa Celtic supporter; a bit of a football '"encyclopedia".


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