South Korea vs. Malaysia (Thursday, 11.30am)
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South Korea can secure their place in the round of 16 of the Asian Cup when they face Malaysia on Thursday at Al Janoub Stadium.
Following a 2-2 draw with Jordan on matchday two, the Tigers of Asia are second in Group E with four points, while Malaysia were officially eliminated, losing 1-0 to Bahrain.
We say: South Korea 4-0 Malaysia
The Koreans have had a much tougher group stage than many had anticipated, but they are facing a side coming off a demoralising defeat, which could work to the advantage of the Tigers of Asia.
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Jordan vs. Bahrain (Thursday, 11.30am)
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A guaranteed place in the last 16 of the Asian Cup will be at stake on Thursday when Jordan and Bahrain square off at Khalifa International Stadium.
The Chivalrous Ones moved to the top of Group E thanks to a 2-2 draw versus South Korea, putting them a point above Bahrain, who are third following a 1-0 triumph over Malaysia.
We say: Jordan 1-1 Bahrain
There is little to choose between these evenly matched sides, and this matchup could go either way, though we do not expect either team to find a decisive breakthrough on Thursday.
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Kyrgyzstan vs. Oman (Thursday, 3.00pm)
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Oman can clinch a spot in the knockout stage of the Asian Cup with a victory over Kyrgyzstan on Thursday at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.
The White Falcons were beaten 2-0 by Saudi Arabia on matchday two, while Oman moved a point above them for third in Group F after playing to a 0-0 draw with Thailand.
We say: Kyrgyzstan 0-1 Oman
Kyrgyzstan came unglued on matchday two, and we believe they will have trouble breaking down an organised Oman side who are a little unfortunate to be winless thus far.
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Saudi Arabia vs. Thailand (Thursday, 3.00pm)
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In a first-place showdown on Thursday, Saudi Arabia and Thailand will face each other at the Asian Cup for the first time since 1996, with their matchday three fixture taking place at Education City Stadium.
The Saudis booked a place in the last 16 for a second successive occasion thanks to a 2-0 triumph over Kyrgyzstan, putting them two points above Thailand for first after the War Elephants could only manage a 0-0 draw with Oman.
We say: Saudi Arabia 2-0 Thailand
Both sides have been quite compact defensively, but we are leaning towards the Saudis because we believe they are better suited to handle a pressure situation like this, which is relatively foreign to Thailand.
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Ben Knapton
