Philippines vs China Predictions

The Philippines kicked-off Group C of the Asian Cup with a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Korea Republic, and on Friday they take on China PR. China head into the game as the bookmakers’ favourites to win, and already have three points on the board after beating Kyrgyzstan 2-1. The Philippines were never expected to qualify from the group stage, but a point against China and a win in their final game could be enough to see the underdogs through.

Korea Republic were by no means at the strongest against the Philippines on Monday, with captain Son Heung-min not featuring, but were still the big favourites to claim all three points. Korea ended the game with 76% of the overall possession after completely controlling this match from start to finish, but just six of their thirteen shots hit the target. Hwang Ui-jo scored the games only goal in the sixty-seventh minute to earn Korea Republic the victory their performance deserved, and the Philippines might just feel they missed an opportunity to pick up a famous point against one of the best teams in Asia.

China had to come from a goal down at half time against Kyrgyzstan on Monday, after Israilov struck in the forty-second minute to hand the underdogs the lead. The match was played out fairly evenly and Kyrgyzstan will be disappointed not to have least taken a point from the game after matching China stride for stride. However, and own goal from goalkeeper Matiash brought the Chinese back onto level terms and a seventy-eighth minute strike from substitute Yu Dabao won the game for the favourites and put China on course to qualify for the knockout stage.

When these two countries last met back in 2017, China ran out 8-1 winners against the Philippines. Goals from Ren Hang, Xiao Zhi, and Yu Hanchao saw the hosts lead 3-1 at the break, with Bahadoran scoring the Philippines consolation goal shortly after the half hour mark. Wang Yongpo scored next to make it 4-1, before Yin Hongbo netted his second of the game three minutes before the hour. Zhang Xizhe scored the home sides sixth goal of the match and Deng Hanwen scored twice late on to wrap up an impressive 8-1 victory for China.

China head into Friday’s game as the form favourites with two wins, three draws, and one defeat from their last six matches, while the Philippines have failed to win any of their last six, losing four and drawing two. Phil Younghusband has 52 goals in 106 caps for the Philippines and will lead the line against China, while Gao Lin has the most goals for the favourites with 21 in his 105 internationals.

We’re confident that China will win and that over 2.5 goals will be scored in the process, with the final scoreline reading 3-0. China have won all of their seven matches against the Philippines, and six of the seven meetings have produced over 2.5 goals. The Philippines have lost their last four internationals including that match against Korea Republic, and we expect China to pile n the misery on Friday.