Confederations Cup odds & tips for Socceroos vs. Cameroon

Australia – +210 at Sportsbet
Draw – +240 at Ladbrokes
Cameroon – +145 at Bet365

TUESDAY’s 3-2 defeat to Germany encompassed both the best and the worst the Socceroos have to offer.

There were times when their collective lack of technical and tactical prowess were ruthlessly exposed by the world’s third-ranked nation.

Massimo Luongo was a disaster in midfield, earning himself a half-time substitution after making blunders for both German goals in the opening term.

Little better was Aziz Behich, who was utterly overwhelmed at left wingback.

Yet there were also periods when Australia put their foot on the ball, controlled possession and looked a half-decent team.

Tom Rogic was the pick of the bunch, showing real class in tight spaces and hitting home the first of his side’s two goals.

Aaron Mooy started in a more advanced position than usual, but things improved dramatically when he dropped into the middle of the park after the break.

Ange Postecoglou’s ambitious 3-2-4-1 formation has critics aplenty, so it will be interesting to see if the Socceroos coach sticks with it against Cameroon.

The African champions like to lie in wait and pounce on the counterattack, relying on the pace and power of their wingers and strikers to catch out opposition defences.

That approach got them in a spot of bother in their 2-0 defeat to Chile, who used clever movement to drag defenders out of position and open up avenues to goal.

But it may work against the Australians if they persist with a system that lacks pace in midfield and leaves plenty of space either side of the back three.

Trent Sainsbury and the Aussie defence will have their hands full with the likes of Vincent Aboubakar, Christian Bassogo and captain Benjamin Moukandjo prowling around the forward third.

It will be a new experience for both sides, as the Socceroos and the Indomitable Lions have never met in an official international fixture.

First goalscorer betting tips

Tom Rogic – +1200 at Bet365

That is back-to-back games now where Rogic has shown his class with a top finish from outside the box. The Celtic man looks a cut above any other Socceroo in terms of technical talent right now, and that ability to unlock a defence with a clever touch and a sweet strike could be the difference against a Cameroon side that likes to sit deep and choke up the final third.

Vincent Aboubakar – +500 at Sportsbet

At 25 years of age, Aboubakar is already something of a journeyman. He played in Turkey last season, netting 12 goals in 27 appearances as Besiktas defended their Super Lig title. He has pace, power and an intimate understanding of where the sticks are, so expect him to get in behind and have a good look at Matty Ryan’s goal at some point in proceedings.

Australia vs. Cameroon match tip

Socceroos/both teams to score – +450 at CrownBet

You could bet either way or in between with complete justification in this case. A total absence of head-to-head form means we really have no idea how these two teams match up on one another. Both have standout players, especially in the forward half of the field, yet both are prone to concentration lapses and defensive indiscipline. Expect plenty of chances at either end.

#BYOSocceroos specials at Sportsbet.com.au

Use the #BYOSocceroos tag on Twitter to request a bet for the Australia vs. Cameroon game. Here is a taste of what punters at online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au have come up with already:

• No throw-ins, cards, corners, or penalties in the first minute – +100
• Australia to win 1-0, 2-0, or 2-1 – +333
• No throw-ins in the first five minutes – +2500
• No cards in 90 minutes and the crossbar to be hit – +4000
• No throw-ins in the first 10 minutes – +10000