Syria vs India Prediction: Syria can edge tense tie

With the Asian Cup group stage wrapping up, both Syria and India remain in the mix to reach the knockout stages, but both sides need a win to stand any chance of progressing.

They are both yet to win, which piles on the pressure ahead of Tuesday’s clash, with Australia and Uzbekistan facing off in the other Group B fixture.

Team News

India head into this one with on major team news updates to note. They have an entirely domestically based squad, led by 146-cap striker and captain Sunil Chhetri.

Syria have a more mixed squad including some European-based players. They lost midfielders Mohammed Osman and Mohammad Al Hallak to injury ahead of the tournament.

Goals could also be an issue, with one of the highest-ever scorers, Omar Al Somah, having retired at the end of 2023.

Match Odds

Syria are heavy favourites for the points, as they enter this clash priced at 1/4 for the victory, with the draw available at 4/1 and an India win a 17/2 shot.

Under 2.5 Goals @ EVS

Both of these sides should feel the pressure on Tuesday and while Syria are heavy favourites, look to this to be a tight contest. India haven’t embarrassed themselves in tougher matches to start the tournament, losing 2-0 to Australia and 3-0 to Kazakhstan going into their final group game.

With three sides progressing, those two defeats haven’t ruled India out of making the next round, but their lack of goals has to be considered a concern. Having lost to nil in each of their last four Asian Cup games, they struggle to make an impact at this level.

The same can be said for Syria, who have seen just a single goal scored across their opening two matches in Qatar. Their lack of forward options means they can’t afford any defensive slip-ups.

Syria have made a conservative start to this tournament and this contest should go the same way. Look to under 2.5 goals here, which appeals at evens ahead of a meeting between two low-scoring sides.

With goals set to be at a premium, consider a 1-0 victory for Syria as a correct score option at 5/1.

Draw/Syria Half-time/Full-time @ 3/1

India were able to frustrate Australia through the first half in their opener and this contest pits them against a Syria side who are yet to score at this tournament.

While Syria are heavy favourites for the points, they are likely to take their time making the breakthrough. Sides can sometimes struggle switching gears after two games where they had to play more on the back foot, which could also India to get to half-time level.

Syria should eventually prove too strong, but the best way to get behind them is in the half-time/full-time market, backing a late breakthrough for the favourites.