Lebanon vs China PR Match Analysis & Prediction
17/01/2024 2:30 pm
Facing potential elimination with a defeat on Wednesday, Lebanon continue their Asian Cup campaign at Al Thumama Stadium with a midweek encounter against China PR.
Both teams failed to triumph in their opening matches, with the Cedars suffering a 3-0 defeat to Qatar, while the Chinese had to settle for a goalless draw with Tajikistan.
The second spell for Miodrag Radulovic as Lebanese head coach has not began as well as he had hoped, with his side losing both of their matches this year and facing the prospect of potentially another early exit from this tournament.
Lebanon have been outscored 4-0 in two competitive matches this year and could be eliminated from this competition for a second successive campaign with a defeat and a draw or victory for the hosts Qatar against Tajikistan.
The Lebanese have never progressed beyond an Asian Cup group stage, winning just one game in their two previous appearances (4-1 against North Korea in 2019).
However, in recent times, they have been able to pick themselves back up quickly, failing to lose three consecutive matches since 2022 (four straight defeats from March to December that year). To stay alive, they may have to beat the Chinese for the first time in their history.
It was a relatively poor opening match for China, who were stymied by a galling group of Tajikistan players who had the bulk of the scoring opportunities in the opening half.
China only registered two efforts on target over 90 minutes, none in the opening half, coming to life after the break following some late substitutions.
Their result on Saturday was only the second time in their last eight Asian Cup group matches that they failed to score, while China have not gone winless in successive group games at this tournament since 1992 ( 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia and goalless stalemate against Thailand).
Aleksandar Jankovic’s side have triumphed in just one of their previous six encounters with Asian opponents, beating Thailand 2-1 in 2026 World Cup qualifying last November.
Lebanon vs. China PR Head to head
In the three previous meetings between these two teams, China have claimed two victories while they have drawn once.
-
20/01/2008China PR0Lebanon0Friendlies
-
14/11/2009Lebanon0China PR2Asian Cup Qualification
-
22/11/2009China PR1Lebanon0Asian Cup Qualification
-
17/01/2024N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
-
17/01/2024LebanonN/AChina PRN/AAFC Asian Cup
Lebanon Team News
Gabriel Bitar made just his fourth appearance for the Lebanon national team on matchday one, replacing Bassel Jradi.
Mohamad Haidar is 10 caps shy of the century mark, while Hilal El-Helwe made his 51st international appearance on Friday, replacing record cap-holder and record goalscorer Hassan Maatouk.
Lebanon's Last 5 Matches
-
16/11/2023Lebanon0Palestine0AFC World Cup Qualifiers
-
21/11/2023Bangladesh1Lebanon1AFC World Cup Qualifiers
-
28/12/2023Lebanon2Jordan1Friendlies
-
04/01/2024Saudi Arabia1Lebanon0Friendlies
-
12/01/2024Qatar3Lebanon0AFC Asian Cup
China PR Team News
China captain Wu Xi sat out of their opening game due to a hamstring injury, while Tyias Browning, Wang Shangyuan, Tan Long and Wu Lei were the only players to retain their spots in the starting XI from their friendly against Hong Kong.
Lin Liangming is just two appearances away from double digits for China, replacing Dai Wai Tsun on matchday one, while Liu Binbin can reach 20 should he feature on Wednesday.
China PR's Last 5 Matches
-
16/10/2023China PR1Uzbekistan2Friendlies
-
16/11/2023Thailand1China PR2AFC World Cup Qualifiers
-
21/11/2023China PR0Korea Republic3AFC World Cup Qualifiers
-
01/01/2024China PR1Hong Kong, China2Friendlies
-
13/01/2024China PR0Tajikistan0AFC Asian Cup
Lebanon vs. China PR: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
Double Chance: China PR or X
Best Odds
1000% Super Multi Bonus
Up to 10 times (1000%) larger winnings on bets placed during Happy Hour
CLAIM BONUS
