Australia shall be aiming to rebound from their goalless draw in their last outing as they aim to climb to the top of Group B when they face China on Tuesday.

The hosts have had a tough time during the World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign, as they sit just one place above the foot of the table at the moment.

Match preview

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China were able to secure a vital point in their most recent fixture against Oman, with Wu Lei finding the back of the net to take the lead, although the team was unable to hold on as the game finished 1-1.

However, with the nation already six points behind Australia, who sit in second place, there is real pressure on this particular match to keep them in with a chance of qualification.

China's only victory in the group took place when they faced Vietnam, who are currently bottom of the table, but they have struggled defensively, conceding 10 goals in the first five matches.

Three of those came against their opponents when they last met, with Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle and Mitchell Duke all finding the back of the net in that contest.

Tie Li will be hopeful that his squad can provide a greater contest this time around, but with three defeats in their five most recent performances, a major improvement is needed.

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Australia were held to a goalless draw in their game against Saudi Arabia at the weekend, who currently sit above them by three points at the moment.

The focus for Graham Arnold will be on keeping pressure on them as this international break comes to an end, and if results go their way, the team could even find themselves top of the group.

The Socceroos have only lost once within this qualification process, which came against Japan, but that result came at the end of the last period of games, meaning that they have now gone two matches in a row without a win.

However, before that Australia won all three of their fixtures and so far they have scored eight goals within those performances, showcasing their ability.

If the squad can continue performing in the same way, they shall be confident of qualifying for the World Cup, with a victory in midweek likely sending them a long way to securing that.

Team News

Lei found the back of the net in the most recent game, which marked the third time he has scored within this group and that will likely lead to him keeping his place within the starting lineup in midweek.

China used a 4-4-2 formation in the draw against Oman and it provided options both offensively and defensively within the team and that could be continued again for this match.

Mathew Ryan will be set to start in goal once again for Australia on Tuesday after he successfully kept a clean sheet against the group leaders during his most recent performance.

However, the Socceroos will be missing a key part of the defensive unit after Harry Souttar suffered a cruciate ligament injury against Saudi Arabia, which should open the door for Milos Degenek to start.

China possible starting lineup:
Yan; Zhang, Zhu, Browning, Wang; Lei, Xu, Wu, Aloisio; Zhang, Alan

Australia possible starting lineup:
Ryan; Grant, Sainsbury, Souttar, Behich; Boyle, Jeggo, Irvine, Mabil; Hrustic, Leckie

We say: China 1-3 Australia

China have struggled so far in this group and that is likely to continue in this game, with Australia having put together some impressive performances so far.

The visitors have been in fine form so far throughout their qualification process, and that is something that should continue in this fixture.

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