Competition: World Cup Qualifiers

Market: Uzbekistan to score in both halves

Odds: 19/20 @ BetUS

Getting their World Cup qualifying campaign back underway on Thursday afternoon, Uzbekistan will welcome Kyrgyzstan to Tashkent.

Starting with the hosts, enjoying what was a real qualifying romp last year, Uzbekistan should be relishing a return to action on Thursday afternoon. Last seen signing off 2024 with a 1-0 victory against North Korea, the White Wolves have rightfully received plenty of plaudits. Mustering 13 points from their six Group A appearances and sat within touching distance of finding a route to the top of the table, Timur Kapadze’s side will be looking to lay down another marker here. In fact, aside from an action-packed 3-2 loss against Qatar on November 14th, that is the only defeat that the midweek hosts have suffered from any of their previous 10 competitive appearances. Smelling a golden opportunity here, Uzbekistan will also be excited by their continued dominance on home soil. In fact, Kapadze’s camp have not suffered a single World Cup qualifying defeat in front of their own supporters since way back in 2019.

As for the visitors, signing off 2024 with an action-packed 3-2 loss at home against Iran, Kyrgyzstan endured a major qualifying struggle last year. Along with losing each of their first three Group A appearances by an aggregate score of 7-3, the Falcons have lost lost five of their six qualifying appearances. Shipping 16 goals in those six Group A showdowns and showing some glaring defensive issues, Maksim Lisitsyn’s squad should also be concerned by a nightmare record against Thursday’s hosts. Hit with another 3-2 loss when they welcomed Uzbekistan to Bishkek for their reverse meeting on September 10th, they have lost all of their eight historic showdowns against the Group A title contenders. It should also be noted, Lisitsyn’s side have shipped at least a trio of goals in all of those eight showdowns. Given what has been a huge recent gulf in class, Kyrgyzstan have a real battle on their hands here.

Bet: Uzbekistan to score in both halves against Kyrgyzstan 19/20 for Thursday’s World Cup qualifying matchup @ BetUS