- Under 2.5 goals is the 1.47 favourite for Friday's game.
- Both Teams to Score - No is priced at 1.63.
- Australia have scored eight goals in their last five games, with Nestory Irankunda hitting three.
Familiar foes make for a familiar fixture
Australia and Egypt are familiar opponents on the world stage, but it will be interesting to see how this game pans out given their contrasting styles. Tony Popovic has fashioned a compact, organised 4-3-3 side from his Australian charges, and their latest two games, a 0-0 away draw against Paraguay and a 2-0 away loss to the USA, show how effective they can be. Egypt, on the other hand, are set up in a defence-first 3-at-the-back shell by Hossam Hassan. The Pharaohs operate from a low-to-mid block, looking to stifle opponents with their numbers in the middle of the park and break quickly with numbers down the middle when they have the ball.
Egypt on better run
Given Egypt are the slight betting favourite at 2.44 versus 3.54 for Australia, the draw at 3.1 is the price that makes the most appeal. The two nations are very evenly matched and Egypt arrive to Dallas Stadium, USA in better shape, having won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five.
Australia have two defeats, two draws and one win over the same period. In the long term, Australia are a much more prolific side, but Egypt are a solid and functional unit and should be able to keep this game tight enough.
Goals could be limited
Under 2.5 goals is favoured for this World Cup knockout stage clash and it's the main selection for Friday's matchup. Both Teams to Score - No will also be added to the wager to give it a better chance of coming in.
Egypt are the slight betting favourite in the match result market, but a cagey 1-0 Egypt win or a tight 1-1 draw are the two sharpest angles in the correct score market.
Australia are more likely to make a breakthrough with their pace on the break, but Popovic's men have to remain patient and that will not come easy against a well-drilled Egypt side.
