Wednesday’s Asia Cup qualifier betting tips: Previews, predictions and odds

Kuwait vs Indonesia

Kuwait come into this game as big favourites.

The Blue have qualified for five of the last six Asia Cups they've been eligible for, only missing the last edition due to a FIFA suspension.

In the second round of World Cup qualifying, Vítězslav Lavička's side finished second in their group, behind only Australia.

However, this means they still have plenty of work to do to qualify for next summer's Asia Cup, starting here.

Opponents Indonesia qualified for four successive Asia Cups between 1996 and 2007, the latter as co-hosts, but have missed each of the last three.

The Red-Whites finished bottom of their group during World Cup qualifying, mustering just a solitary point against Thailand.

So, Shin Tae-yong's side had to get through a play-off tie just to get this far, hammering Chinese Taipei 5-1 on aggregate.

Nevertheless, Kuwait should cruise to victory at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium.

Jordan vs Nepal

Later on in Kuwait City, the other game in Group A will get underway.

Jordan are the other big team in this section, given that they've qualified for four of the last five Asia Cups.

The Chivalrous reached the knockout phase three years ago but, after finishing third in their World Cup qualifying group, aren't sure of their place at 2023.

In that group, they actually finished below Kuwait on goal difference, so their encounter on 14 June will certainly be interesting.

Nepal are rank outsiders to qualify for their first-ever Asia Cup Finals.

The Gorkhalis only point during World Cup qualification came against minnows Chinese Taipei, beating them home and away.

Now though, Abdullah Al Mutairi's team are the minnows in this group, with Jordan likely to cruise to victory.

Philippines vs Yemen

The first game in Group B, taking place in Ulaanbaatar, sees Philippines take on Yemen.

The Philippines made their Asia Cup debut in the U.A.E. in 2019, losing all three matches under Sven-Göran Eriksson.

Since, the Street Dogs have actually done ok in World Cup qualifying, amassing 11 points and finishing third in their section.

So, they should come into this campaign with some confidence, unlike their first opponents.

Yemen finished bottom of their World Cup qualification group, their only victory a shock 1-0 success against Palestine.

The Qahtanite Arabs, like Philippines, made their Asia Cup debut three years ago, bowing out in the group stages without a point to their name.

Here, without an obvious front-runner, both will feel they have a decent chance of qualifying.

Palestine vs Mongolia

The other two teams in Group B also meet at MFF Football Centre.

Mongolia are hosting this group but are rank-outsiders to qualify for their first-ever major tournament.

The Blue Wolves were beaten 14-0 by Japan during World Cup qualification, amassing six points thanks to wins over Myanmar and then Kyrgyzstan.

Palestine meanwhile are the top seeds in this group have qualified for both of the last two Asia Cups.

The Lions of Canaan finished a respectable third in their World Cup qualifying group, so are favourites to take top spot in this section.

Thailand vs Maldives

Group C's opener is actually tough to call.

Thailand qualified for five consecutive Asia Cups between 1992 and 2007, the latter as co-hosts, before make their tournament return in 2019.

However, the Changsuek were far from convincing during World Cup qualifying, winning just three of eight matches, ending up fourth in their group.

Maldives also came fourth during World Cup qualification, their only wins coming home and away agains minnows Guam.

The Red Snappers though have never qualified for a major tournament before, so Francesco Moriero's men are chasing history this week.

Thailand should be too strong in Namangan.

Uzbekistan vs Sri Lanka

Later on at Markaziy Stadium, group hosts and overwhelming favourites Uzbekistan will get their campaign underway.

The White Wolves are one of just three (out of eight) sides who finished second in their World Cup qualifying group, but aren't guaranteed an Asia Cup spot.

Uzbekistan finished second, below Saudi Arabia, with their only defeats coming against the run-away group winners and in Palestine.

Nevertheless, having qualified for all seven Asia Cups since joining AFC, Srečko Katanec's side should cruise through this process.

Sri Lanka, in stark contrast, have never qualified for a major tournament and are ranked 205 in the world by FIFA, out of 211.

The Golden Army lost all six World Cup qualifiers, conceding 23 goals, and only advanced to this round because Korea DPR withdrew.

So, Uzbekistan are likely to enjoy a very emphatic victory.

Hong Kong vs Afghanistan

Will Hong Kong keep their Asia Cup dream alive?

The Strength appeared at three of the tournaments first four editions, but have failed to qualify for all 13 Asia Cups since 1968.

In World Cup qualifying, Jørn Andersen's side underwhelming, only winning once and that came against minnows Cambodia at home.

Afghanistan meanwhile have never qualifed for this tournament, also only winning once during World Cup qualification, beating Bangladesh.

But, in a week looking section, both will feel they can take second spot, especially if they start with a victory in Kolkata.

India vs Cambodia

The hosts and overwhelming favourites to top this group are India, who should begin their campaign with a win at Salt Lake Stadium.

The Blue Tigers made their Asia Cup return three years ago, beating Thailand but exiting in the group stages.

Since, Igor Štimac's side have managed to finish third in their World Cup qualification group, above both Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Cambodia meanwhile finished rock bottom of their World Cup qualification section, their only point coming in a 1-1 draw with Hong Kong in Phnom Penh.

As a result, just to get this far, the Angkor Warriors had to come through a play-off round tie, seeing off Guam 3-1 on aggregate last October.

However, Cambodia's hopes of qualifying for a first Asia Cup since 1972, at which they finished fourth, are certainly slim.

Turkmenistan vs Malaysia

Malaysia are the hosts of Group E, and they'll be hoping to make home advantage count.

The Malayan Tigers have only qualified for one Asia Cup since 1980 and that was the 2007 when they co-hosted the tournament.

However, Kim Pan-gon's side were solid during World Cup qualifying, winning four of eight matches, finishing third in their group.

So now, they're just a couple of wins away from ending that long draught for a tournament appearance.

With Bahrain big favourites to top this group, Turkmenistan are likely to be their biggest adversaries to second place.

The Karakum Warriors finished third in their World Cup qualification group, beating Sri Lanka twice and then Lebanon too.

Said Seýidow's team appeared at the most recent edition of the Asia Cup, qualifying for the first time since 2004.

Here, who will win a crucial fixture at Bukit Jalil National Stadium?

Bahrain vs Bangladesh

Later on in Kuala Lumpur, this game should be far more cut and dried.

Bahrain are amongst the strongest teams in Asia who are yet to book their place at next summer's tournament.

Hélio Sousa's team accumulated 15 points during World Cup qualifying, only missing out on a top two finish by two points, just below Iraq.

The Reds have qualified for each of the last five Asia Cups, last missing one in 2000, so are overwhelming favourites to top this section.

Bangladesh meanwhile made their one and only Asia Cup appearance in 1980, failing to win any of their eight World Cup qualifiers.

This means the Bengal Tigers haven't won a qualification match since 2011.

Bahrain will surely ease to victory.

Tajikistan vs Myanmar

Having missed out on automatic Asia Cup qualification by virtue of goal difference alone, Tajikistan are looking to make no mistakes this time.

During World Cup qualification, the Persian Lions finished second in their group, below only the traditional powerhouse that is Japan.

Nevertheless, in the group runner-up ranking, this saw them miss out on Asia Cup qualification due to Lebanon's superior goal difference.

Despite this disappointment, Petar Segrt's side are favourites to top this group, thereby qualifying for the tournament for the first time ever.

Myanmar meanwhile have only ever appeared at one Asia Cup to date, ending as runners-up way back in 1968.

The Chinthe's hopes of qualifying this time are significantly slimmer, given that they came rock bottom of their World Cup qualifying section.

Anything other than a comfortable Tajikistan win in haha would be a major surprise.

Kyrgyzstan vs Singapore

Kyrgyzstan are hosting Group F's matches and they should be the strongest side in this group.

The White Falcons made their Asia Cup debut three years ago, beat the Philippines before bowing out in the round of 16 against hosts the U.A.E.

During World Cup qualifying, Aleksandr Krestinin's team finished third in their section, below only Japan and Tajikistan.

Singapore meantime have only appeared at one Asia Cup to date, doing so as hosts back in the midst of time, or 1984 as it's more commonly known.

The Lions ended World Cup qualifying with a measly tally of seven points, ending up above only Yemen.

The hosts should easily win this one at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium.