Two camps who will get their respective World Cup Round of 32 adventures underway on Friday night, Australia will meet Egypt in Texas.

With the footballing world fixed on North America, there are a host of eye-catching betting promotions available this summer.

Verdict: Egypt to qualify 

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: BetUS

Australia

Starting with Australia, getting their World Cup adventure underway with a major statement of intent on June 14th as they clinched a deserved 2-0 victory against Turkey, the Socceroos have struggled to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, signing off their Group D adventure with an uneventful 0-0 stalemate against Paraguay last week as they clinched a silver medal finish behind the USA, Tony Popovic’s side are searching for a clinical edge in the final third. Getting the final stint of their pre-tournament preparations underway with a 1-0 defeat against Mexico on May 31st, Australia have failed to register more than a single strike in nine of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions. Likewise, drawing back-to-back Group D blanks, Popovic’s men should be bracing themselves for a stern examination in Texas.

Australia Team News

Both suffering respective injury issues during Australia’s group stage charge this summer, the Socceroos will be unable to call upon the duo of Melbourne City striker Mathew Leckie and former Borussia Monchengladbach youngster Jacob Italiano.

Despite suffering an infamous Championship with Leicester City last season, Harry Souttar will start at the heart of Australia’s defence on Friday night. Cementing his spot as Popovic’s number one choice, 22-year-old Patrick Beach will start between the sticks in Texas.

Egypt

As for Egypt, while the Pharaohs might have signed off their pre-tournament preparations with a close-fought 2-1 defeat against South African giants Brazil, Hossam Hassan’s men should find the mood in their camp at a high. Getting this summer’s adventure underway with a gritty 1-1 stalemate against Belgium on June 15th, they wrapped up a second-place finish in Group B and put five points on the board. In fact, despite missing out on the chance to claim an AFCON bronze medal back in January, Egypt have suffered just a sole defeat from any of their last eight matchups across all formats within 90 minutes. Landing a thumping 3-0 victory when they met Australia for their only historic showdown back in November 2010, Hassan’s side will be dreaming of a repeat performance on Friday night.

Egypt Team News

Limping off in the first-half during Egypt’s 3-1 victory against New Zealand on June 22nd, the Pharaohs are expected to be without 31-year-old Hamdi Fathy on Friday night. However, Zamalek defender Hossam Abdelmaguid will return to Hassan’s squad after returning from concussion.

Announcing prior to this summer’s tournament that he will be drawing a line under his iconic tenure with Premier League giants Liverpool, Mohamed Salah will shoulder plenty of Egypt’s attacking threat here.

Australia vs Egypt Key Factors to Consider

• When Australia and Egypt met for their only historic showdown back in November 2010, the Pharaohs cruised their way to a routine 3-0 friendly victory.
• Continuing on from their summer preparations, Australia have recorded just a sole win from any of their previous five appearances.
• The Socceroos have failed to register more than a single strike in nine of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions.
• Egypt have suffered just a sole defeat from any of their last eight matchups across all formats within 90 minutes.
• Six of Australia’s last seven appearances have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

In what can certainly be billed as a real surprise Round of 32 showdown this weekend, we could be set for a cagey affair in Texas. However, with Egypt still not suffering a single World Cup defeat since arriving in North America this summer, the African heavyweights find the mood in their camp at a real high. Landing a routine 3-0 win when they met Australia for their only historic meeting back in November 2010, we are expecting Egypt to extend on their World Cup adventure.

Verdict: Egypt to qualify 

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: BetUS