South Korea vs Bahrain Prediction: Tips and Best Bets Preview

Nathan Joyes is here to provide his South Korea vs Bahrain prediction and tips betting preview, with expectations high in the Taegeuk Warriors camp.

South Korea head into the Asian Cup as second favourites behind Japan, while Bahrain are one of the rank outsiders to spring a surprise. With Son Heung-Min set to lead the line, it could be a difficult afternoon for their opponents.

If the Asian Cup isn’t enough for you, why not sample our bettingexpert AFCON coverage.

South Korea vs Bahrain Prediction and Tips Preview

• South Korea vs Bahrain Tip 1: South Korea to Win to Nil
• South Korea vs Bahrain Tip 2: Heung-Min Son over 1.5 Shots on Target
• South Korea vs Bahrain Tip 3: South Korea Score in Both Halves

In this article:

• South Korea vs Bahrain Team News
• South Korea vs Bahrain Stats Preview
• How to watch South Korea vs Bahrain
• Safer Gambling

South Korea vs Bahrain Tip 1: Korea’s clean sheet marathon to continue

Qatar, Asian Cup, Monday, January 15th, 11:30 (UK)

Japan are deservedly the favourites to win the Asian Cup, but you’d be foolish to dismiss South Korea’s chances, despite failing to win the competition in over 60 years.

With Spurs’ Heung-Min Son leading the line, Wolves Hee-Chan Hwang and PSG’s Kang-In Lee in behind, they have one of the best attacking threats in the tournament.

However, it’s the other end of the pitch where they’ve impressed. With seven clean sheets in a row, stretching over 630 minutes since conceding against El Salvador, Jürgen Klinsmann’s militant defence will carry them far.

Ulsan’s centre-back pairing Young-Woo Seol and Seung-Hyun Jung play alongside each other on a regular basis, while Bayern’s full-back Min-Jae Kim adds another level of protection.

Bahrain is by far the weakest nation in the competition, which doesn’t offer much in terms of attacking threats. Failing to score against UAE and Australia heading into this tournament doesn’t bode well against a side as powerful as South Korea.

A straightforward win is just 1.20 in the betting, but throwing in a clean sheet for Klinsmann’s Warriors is more than acceptable.

• South Korea vs Bahrain Tip 1: South Korea Win to Nil
• Best Odds: 1.66
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 9/10

South Korea vs Bahrain Tip 2: Spurs captain to shine bright in opener

Perhaps a more obvious selection, yet it’s important to note this is my first tracked bet for the Asian Cup.

South Korea are a dangerous, ruthless side. Four goals against Tunisia, six versus Vietnam, five against Singapore, and three against China have shown an edge which was perhaps lacking when Klinsmann first took charge.

At the heart of their attacking play is captain and forward Heung-Min Son. He’s scored in all the games mentioned above, aside from Tunisia – a game he didn’t feature in.

Playing on the wings for South Korea, Son isn’t isolated in the lone striker role. He’s allowed the freedom to roam across the pitch, often found drifting into a central position when on the ball or finding pockets of space inside the box.

This bet landed in his last three competitive matches with ease, and as he is the captain, he’ll want to lead with authority from the first match.

Adding to the fact he takes penalties and free-kicks for South Korea, this looks an attractive bet to be on.

• South Korea vs Bahrain Tip 2: Heung-Min Son Over 1.5 Shots on Target (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.75
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 9/10

South Korea vs Bahrain Tip 3: Warriors to attack from the get go

With South Korea’s attacking edge, which has seen them bury an array of different nations across 2023, it would be a surprise if they didn’t look to stretch Bahrain from the first whistle.

Aside from a recent friendly against Australia, it has been a while since Bahrain has come up against an Asian powerhouse. It’s all well and good beating the likes of Yemen, Philippines and Kyrgyzstan, but none have qualified for this tournament.

Defeats to Kuwait, Palestine, Oman and a draw with Turkmenistan in 2023 are also worrying signs for the small nation.

However, this match won’t define their tournament. With Malaysia and Jordan up next, Bahrain will know this is where potential progress to the knockouts is possible.

South Korea will want to get Group E and this match wrapped up as soon as possible before they look ahead to Jordan five days later. Once South Korea go in front, they’ll win, so hopefully, they can produce a moment or two within the first 45.

• South Korea vs Bahrain Tip 3: South Korea HT/FT
• Best Odds: 1.83
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

South Korea vs Bahrain Prediction odds via bet365 as at 11:30, January 10th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

South Korea vs Bahrain Team News Preview: Klinsmann’s squad fit and firing ahead of opener

Although Spurs fans will be sad to see Heung-Min Son depart for the foreseeable. Klinsmann will be delighted that his captain is in Qatar and ready to lead his team to the title. The South Korea team also includes talents like Bayern Munich’s defender Kim Min-jae and attacking midfielder from Paris Saint-Germain, Lee Kang-in, who are both in line for starts here.

There are no fresh injury concerns for the Warriors, who will look to try and win their first Asian Cup in over 60 years.

South Korea vs Bahrain OPTA Stats Preview: South Korean shut-out?

• South Korea hasn’t conceded in over 630 minutes.
• These two nations have met six times – Bahrain has never defeated South Korea.
• Bahrain took South Korea to extra time in the 2019 Asian Cup but lost 2-1.
• South Korea are unbeaten in eight matches since their 1-0 defeat to Peru.
• Bahrain has lost their last matches without scoring.

How To Watch

• South Korea vs Bahrain, Asian Cup.
• Date and Time: Monday, January 15th, 11:30 (UK)
• How to Watch or Stream on TV (UK): bet365

Safer Gambling

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.