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Horse Racing China vs Tajikistan Predictions: Tips and Best Bets Preview
It is experience vs debutants in Group A, and Nathan Joyes is once again on hand to provide his China vs Tajikistan predictions and tips preview. Despite bringing a wealth of experience to the Asian Cup, China’s domestic football has fallen from grace, which has impacted the growth of the national team. Tajikistan, on the other hand, arrives with a five-match unbeaten run to protect.
This isn’t Nathan’s only foray into the first round of games in the tournament. Elsewhere on bettingexpert, he has also delved into Australia vs India and Japan vs Vietnam – we’d strongly recommend both.
China vs Tajikistan Predictions and Tips Preview
- China vs Tajikistan Tip 1: Tajikistan +0.5 Asian Handicap
- China vs Tajikistan Tip 2: Tajikistan to Score in Second Half
- China vs Tajikistan Tip 3: Shakhrom Samiev Anytime Goalscorer
In this article:
- China vs Tajikistan Team News
- China vs Tajikistan Stats Preview
- How to watch China vs Tajikistan
- Safer Gambling
China vs Tajikistan Tip 1: Take a chance on Tajikistan
Qatar, Asian Cup, Saturday, January 13th, 14:30 (UK)
While this is China’s 13th appearance in the Asian Cup, the 2024 edition will be Tajikistan’s debut. However, although we don’t know exactly whether the occasion will overawe them, the Crowns should be full of confidence due to their current form.
A 2-0 win over Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur in the Merdeka Cup final wasn’t expected. They were then extremely unfortunate not to secure a victory over Jordan in the World Cup qualifiers after a 93rd-minute equaliser denied them a famous victory.
Once again, as underdogs, they competed with a team ranked much higher than them. A 6-1 demolition job over Pakistan restored plenty of faith in their finishing ability before a 2-1 win over Hong Kong saw them prepared and ready to take on China.
China’s form couldn’t be worse heading into the Asian Cup. They, too, faced Hong Kong in a friendly but fell to a 2-1 defeat. Their last two matches in 2023 saw them fall to defeats against Oman and South Korea without scoring.
Tajikistan themselves faced Oman in the CAF Nations Cup, holding them to a 1-1 draw despite having ten men for most of the second half.
Another advantage is a lot of Tajikistan’s squad plays for Istiqlol Dushanbe, who regularly compete in the AFC Champions League. Having a close-knit squad can make the transition to the national team easier. Against Pakistan, six starting players were from Istiqlol.
China are arguably superior on paper, but Tajikistan has once again been underestimated in the market.
- China vs Tajikistan Tip 1: Tajikistan +0.5 Asian Handicap
- Best Odds: 1.70
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 7/10
China vs Tajikistan Tip 2: A second half to saviour
As mentioned, this is Tajikistan’s debut in the competition. At times, especially in the first half, they are likely to show China too much respect as they settle into their surroundings.
However, we’ve already established how China is in no real form of their own at the moment. They, too, are relying on domestic players to guide them to victory in this competition.
It may take time for Tajikistan to realise this, but the moment they find their feet in this fixture, they shouldn’t be scared of China.
Possessing quick wingers and powerful strikers, the Crowns are a threat both down the channels and from set pieces. They are physically stronger than the Chinese players, who are there to be exploited aerially.
We’ve also seen Tajikistan score late goals across 2023. Whether they are soaking up pressure or in control of the match, the Crowns are capable of breaking quickly and have the quality in the team to be lethal in favourable positions.
If China are piling on the pressure, or whether Tajikistan will grow in confidence as the match goes on, they are more likely to strike in the second half than in the first.
This bet has landed in four of Tajikistan’s last five competitive matches and at odds-against, it looks to be a more favourable bet to be on.
- China vs Tajikistan Tip 2: Tajikistan to Score in Second Half
- Best Odds: 2.25
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 7/10
China vs Tajikistan Tip 3: Samiev to help secure the points
If I fancy Tajikistan to cause an upset, in particular the second half, I have little choice but to select their super sub to write his name in the headlines.
Shakhrom Samiev came off the bench to score against both Jordan and Pakistan during the Asia World Cup qualifiers. Once again, he had to prove himself from the bench against Hong Kong, but he scored the winner in their warm-up friendly heading into this fixture.
The 22-year-old is one of few who plays outside of Tajikistan, representing Moldova’s Milsami. For both club and country, he’s scored five in eight matches – his best run since 2021, and there’s no doubt the Crowns will turn to Samiev in the second half.
Rustam Soirov, only 21 himself, has been trusted to lead the line and scored against Pakistan and Hong Kong. However, he’s hardly any minutes domestically, which indicates he won’t start or he’ll likely be substituted early in the second half.
This certainly is an outside swing, but Samiev has shown he’s reliable, dangerous in the box and can turn up when it matters. If Tajikistan nicks a goal in the second half, there’s every chance Samiev can be the hero once more.
- China vs Tajikistan Tip 3: Shakhrom Samiev Anytime Goalscorer
- Best Odds: 4.33
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 5/10
China vs Tajikistan Predictions odds via bet365 as at 11:00, January 9th, 2024. Odds may now differ.
China vs Tajikistan Team News Preview: Lei Wu China’s star player
I’ve focused heavily on Tajikistan, and rightly so, as they make their debut in the Asian Cup. However, they will need to keep Lei Wu quiet if they are to grab a result in the opening match.
The Shanghai Port striker scored 19 goals in 30 domestic matches and has enjoyed life back in China after several years in La Liga with Espanyol. He’s fit and ready to start against Tajikistan, and the 32-year-old will be hoping to carry China to the knockout stages at the very least.
There were no noticeable absences for Tajikistan, who had no fresh injury concerns after their warm-up friendly against Hong Kong.
China vs Tajikistan OPTA Stats Preview: The form book can throw up an upset
- Tajikistan head into their Asian Cup debut on the back of a five-match unbeaten run.
- China has lost four of their last five matches, losing 2-1 to Hong Kong on New Year’s Day.
- China lost to Oman and Hong Kong in recent months, two teams Tajikistan didn’t lose to in 2023.
- Tajikistan’s 6-1 win against Pakistan was their biggest victory since their 16-0 romp over Guam in 2000.
- The last time these two nations met was in 2019, where China came out on top with a narrow 1-0 victory.
How To Watch
- China vs Tajikistan, Asian Cup.
- Date and Time: Saturday, January 13th, 14:30 (UK)
- How to Watch or Stream on TV (UK): bet365
SAFER GAMBLING
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