Chile v Australia Odds: How good are this version of the Socceroos?

Arturo Vidal is the class act that Chile will need to rely on

Australia are back at the World Cup Finals and can they start off with a big victory over a very good Chilean side? Neil Monnery investigates...

Chile v Australia
June 13, 23:00 BST
TV: ITV

We all remember Terry Venables taking charge of the Australian national side and taking them to the brink of going to the 1998 World Cup. Up 3-1 on aggregate at home with 20 minutes left on the clock and all looked good for the Socceroos. Sadly for them two late goals meant defeat on the away goals rule and Venables failed to take them to France '98.

That vintage had players like Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Mark Bosnich, Stan Lazaridis and John Aloisi, all of whom would go on to impress in the Premier League at various points. This time around though even seasoned football fans would struggle to name any of their squad beyond Tim Cahill. Not even Chelsea reserve goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will be on the plane to Brazil in the next couple of weeks.

They qualified for the finals after coming second in Group B of the Asian qualifying section. Japan won the group convincingly and Australia thumped Jordan in their penultimate to all but secure their passage to the finals. A strong home record of two wins and two draws went with an away record of one win, two draws and one defeat, meant they only lost once in their qualifying campaign.

Chile on the other hand qualified by finishing third in the South American qualifying group. They had an excellent home record but struggled on the road. They have two outstanding talents who are starring in European football, first Alexis Snchez of Barcelona and then cultured box-to-box midfielder Arturo Vidal who plays in Serie A for Juventus. Both would push for selection in pretty much any team in world football and the hopes of the country are hanging heavily on both these players shoulders.

Australia are currently ranked 59th in the FIFA rankings with Chile at 13. The South Americans are clear favourites and with a lack of star quality from Down Under then you'd have to fancy them for this game if looking solely on paper.

However four years ago we saw New Zealand go undefeated in South Africa so lets not rule out Australia just yet. In fact at 4.3100/30 I think rolling the dice on the draw isn't the worst bet ever made.

Recommended Bet
Back the draw at 4.3100/30