World Cup Qualifying: Honduras vs Australia preview

Honduras have the chance to qualify for their fourth World Cup final tournament but first they have to get past Australia in the World Cup Qualifying playoff. The first leg of the tie will be played on Friday at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula. The two teams have never met before but Australia have a slight advantage on paper when it comes to history as they have qualified for the World Cup on four occasions compared to just three qualifications for Honduras. Moreover, Australia have qualified for the last three editions of the World Cup. Honduras finished fourth in the North and Central American qualification group, quite an achievement considering that a much stronger (at least on paper) United States team finished just behind them and missed out on qualification. They have not lost any of their last five matches and missed out on an automatic qualification place on goal difference. Captain Maynor Figueroa is suspended for the first leg and his absence might prove important for the home side, while winger Alberth Elis is also suspended but will be available for the second leg. Australia didn't have the easiest of qualification campaigns so far, they only managed to finish third in their Asian World Cup qualification group behind Japan and Saudi Arabia and had to go through another play-off round before meeting Honduras. They faced Syria in the previous round and it was quite a thriller, the first leg ended 1-1 and Australia needed an extra-time goal to prevail on home soil in the second leg. Captain Mark Milligan and Mathew Leckie are suspended after getting booked in both matches against Syria. Probable line-ups: Honduras: Escober - Beckeles, Figueroa, Palacios, Izaguirre - Mejia, Claros - Garcia, Lopez, Quioto - Lozano Australia: Ryan - Sainsbury, Wright, Degenek - Risdon, Luongo, Mooy, Behich - Kruse, Rogic - Cahill My prediction: 1-1 draw. Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: Honduras win - 2.00 Draw - 3.20 Australia win - 4.20