Inform your AFC Asian Cup 2023 predictions with insight from Pinnacle’s odds alongside team news and analysis.
The 2023 AFC Asian Cup, pushed back until the start of 2024 because of high summer temperatures in host country Qatar, gets underway on January 12.
Qatar are the defending champions as well as the hosts, while a high-class raft of Asian powerhouses including Japan, South Korea, Iran and China will be hoping they will be lifting the trophy in Lusail on February 10.
Japan not so blue about cup prospects
Record four-time winners Japan are 3.490* to land a fifth Asian Cup, and the tournament favorites have a lot going for them.
After a hugely impressive showing at the 2022 World Cup, where they beat Germany and Spain to top their group before losing to Croatia on penalties, the Samurai Blue have continued to develop under head coach Hajime Moriyasu, who is now in his sixth year in charge.
Indeed, they produced more sparkling results in 2023, including wins over Peru, Turkey and Canada, plus an astonishing 4-1 friendly win against Germany in Wolfsburg.
Players of the caliber of Ko Itakura, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Wataru Endō and Takumi Minamino are playing in Europe’s big five leagues, as are many of their supporting cast.
Shining Son should see South Korea go far
Tipped by many to be lining up against Japan in the final are their long-time rivals South Korea, who are 5.250* to win the trophy.
Presuming that, as they should, Japan and South Korea win their groups, they cannot then meet until the final.
South Korea haven’t won the tournament since 1960, but have featured in four finals since then and continue to be a major player regionally.
Head coach Jürgen Klinsmann has finally got them into a winning habit after a sluggish start to his reign, and like the Japanese, the German former World Cup winner can summon a whole host of classy players from Europe’s top leagues.
Big performances are needed from Bayern Munich colossus Kim Min-jae and skipper Son Heung-min of Tottenham, and big things are expected from Wolves’ goal-getter Hwang Hee-chan and talented PSG flier Lee Kang-in.
Heat an issue for Arnold’s Aussies
Graham Arnold’s Australia are hard to discount just over 12 months after a decent World Cup showing where they reached the knockout phase.
The Socceroos look a workman-like squad, though Arnold insists his group are at an immediate disadvantage because of the extreme heat in Qatar.
Australia are 7.510* to win, while two of those middle-eastern sides who Arnold clearly feels have a climatic advantage are Iran (8.010*) and Saudi Arabia (8.010*).
The Saudis still dine out on that never-to-be-forgotten win over Argentina at the World Cup, and clearly mean business, having appointed Euro 2020-winning coach Roberto Mancini.
Iran’s World Cup was less memorable – though they did beat Wales – but they hardly put a foot wrong during an impressive 2023. If famed frontmen Mehdi Taremi and Sardar Azmoun shine, the Iranians are quite capable of mounting a challenge.
China hope old guard can inspire deep run
Twice runners-up China can be backed at 51.040*, and they certainly look hard-pressed against the likes of Japan or South Korea.
There is a veteran look to Aleksandar Janković’s squad, with only three outfield players under the age of 25.
Key players such as keeper Yan Junling, defender Zhang Linpeng, striker Wu Lei and skipper Wu Xi remain pivotal to China’s prospects, and they will be fitter, more intense and more physical than any China team in recent history.
