Australia vs Egypt Predicted Lineups & Team News

Australia have reached the second phase of the FIFA World Cup in back-to-back tournaments for the first time in their history. They face Egypt on Friday (1pm local time/7pm BST, BBC One) at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Pharaohs haven't experienced knockout football on this stage since 1934.

Below I take a look at the latest Australia vs Egypt predicted lineups and team news.

Australia

Jacob Italiano (groin) and Mathew Leckie (hamstring) are going to be absent for Australia on Friday. The Socceroos have no other injury concerns for this clash, so boss Tony Popovic can name a strong side to face Egypt.

Popovic might be tempted to field the same XI that played out a goalless draw against Paraguay on matchday three. Lucas Herrington, the highly-rated 18-year-old centre-back, should therefore feature in the back line.

Australia will look to exciting winger Nestory Irankunda for exciting moments in the final third. The winger has already opened his account at the tournament and he should operate in the final third again. He started up front against Paraguay but he could be deployed out wide if Mohamed Toure is recalled to spearhead the attack.

Egypt

Egypt have quite a number of injury concerns ahead of this game. Mohamed Salah, Ahmed El Fotouh (both hamstring), Hamdy Fathy (groin), Hossam Abdelmaguid (head) and Mohamed Abdelmonem (ankle) are all at risk of missing out.

The Pharaohs have been given some encouragement regarding their talisman Salah, who might recover in time to start in Texas.

Mohanad Lasheen is suspended for this tie due to an accumulation of yellow cards during the group stage.

Remember you can bet on this match and check out all of the live Australia vs Egypt Odds over on betfred.com

Australia vs Egypt Key Players:

Nestory Irankunda (Australia)

Now that we're into the knockout stage, star quality will be needed more than ever and the standout player who can offer this for Australia is Irankunda. His pace and dancing feet can ask a lot of questions of Egypt's back line, especially because the Pharaohs haven't managed to keep a clean sheet at the World Cup so far.

Irankunda has already opened his account and he's played out wide and up front. I think he'll pose a threat in whichever position he takes up on the pitch.

Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

If the reports are to be believed, there's a chance we'll see Salah play some role in this round-of-32 tie on Friday. The Liverpool legend has had a productive campaign during the group phase, contributing a goal and two assists.

Salah brings plenty of experience to this team thanks to his years at the top level of European football. He may be getting older but he's still capable of conjuring up some magic and Australia will still look to monitor the attacker's movements closely.

For all of our coverage and betting markets for the festival of football this summer, please check out our World Cup Odds over on betfred.com