There’s no denying the Socceroos have been dealt a rough hand when it comes to the 2018 FIFA World Cup draw, landing in one of the tournament's toughest groups – including a first-up assignment against perennial heavyweights France.
Australia are understandably rank outsiders to pull off an upset against the superstar-laced French, but can they get on the scoresheet?
The Socceroos are a juicy $2.32 to find a goal in their opener ($1.54 to be kept to nil by France) and there’s plenty of names of their team sheet that suggest it’s a solid option.
Australia have been held scoreless just four times in their past 30 matches and put four goals past Czech Republic earlier this month.
Though he may be used off the bench, Socceroos icon Tim Cahill is rated the best chance of scoring a goal for Australia along with striker Tomi Juric, both backed at $6 in the Anytime Goalscorer market.
Cahill, Australia’s all-time leading scorer with 50 from 106 internationals, has a history of stepping up at World Cups. Few could forget his heroics in the Socceroos’ 2006 campaign and his goal-of-the-tournament contender against the Netherlands in 2014. The veteran is aiming to become just the fourth player in history to score goals at four World Cups.
Juric’s international record (8 goals from 35 games) is comparatively modest but his talent is undeniable, while prolific former Brisbane Roar striker Jamie Maclaren ($6.50) and Socceroos stalwart Robbie Kruse ($7.50) are value Anytime Goalscorer options against France depending on the make-up of Bert van Marwijk’s line-up.
Matthew Leckie ($8) notched a brace of goals against Czech Republic. Don’t sleep on skipper Mile Jedinak ($10), either – he bagged a hat-trick in the Socceroos’ clutch World Cup qualifier win over Honduras last year.
Since making a long-awaited World Cup return in 2006, Australia have scored at least one goal in six of their 10 matches – including four of their last five. Will you back them to get on the board against France?
