Australia vs Jordan Predictions

• Australia beat Jordan 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier around 12 months ago, in their last head-to-head meeting.
• The Socceroos will likely name a strong side as they prepare for next week’s World Cup play-off clash with the United Arab Emirates.
• Jordan have only won one of their last six games against teams in the top 100 of the FIFA world rankings, beating Saudi Arabia in December’s Arab Cup.

Socceroos preparing for crucial play-offs

Having qualified for each of the last four World Cups, Australia would have been supremely confident of featuring when the tournament opens in Qatar in November, but a frustrating run of four wins from 10 final-round group games means the Socceroos missed out on automatic qualification and will face play-off clashes with the United Arab Emirates and potentially Peru this month. Graham Arnold’s men will be determined to take advantage of the opportunity to warm-up in a friendly with Jordan.

Australia have only won one of their last seven games, a run stretching back to October, but each of those failures to win came against teams ranked in the top 80 in the FIFA world rankings, with their defeats coming to Saudi Arabia (49th) and Japan (23rd, twice). The Socceroos beat Jordan 1-0 in a qualification clash last June, and with a strong team expected to be named, will be confident of doing so again here.

Jordan do come into the contest in decent form after winning eight of their last 11 games, but they have only won one of their last six games against top-100-ranked teams, beating Saudi Arabia in December. Having conceded 11 goals in their last five outings, meanwhile, Jordan may struggle against a side which, despite their underperformance, scored the most goals (15) in their final-round qualification group.

Australia should warm up in style

Despite Australia’s poor recent results, Arnold’s men should have too much for Jordan if they take this friendly seriously, which they certainly should do with their all-important play-off just a week away.

While we’re backing a home win, a 1-0 victory for the Socceroos, which was the result of the last two head-to-head meetings, looks a decent correct score prediction.