AFC Asian Cup Outright Winner Tips
Asian Cup Outright Betting Tips
The second oldest continental football championship in the world will see a new chapter written over the coming weeks with the delayed 2023 Asian Cup in Qatar.
Due to the high summer temperatures, the tournament was delayed until the winter and now the competition will take place from January 12th until the final on February 10th in Lusail.
Going back to the first Asian Cup in 1956, there have been nine different winners of this major competition and some of those nations are expected to be in the mix again this time around.
Here’s a look at three countries that look capable of going all the way in Qatar and can lift the trophy at Lusail Stadium on February 10th.
Tip 1 - Japan to win Asian Cup Outright @ 15/8
The highest-ranked team heading into the Asian Cup this year, Japan are the early favourites to leave Qatar as champions.
Ranked 17th in the world, just a place behind former world champions Germany, Japan have a squad packed with players plying their trade in Europe’s top divisions.
No less than 20 of the 26-man squad named for the tournament play in Europe, with the likes of skipper Wataru Endo, Kaoru Mitoma and Takehiro Tomiyasu all playing in the Premier League for Liverpool, Brighton and Arsenal respectively.
In Hajime Moriyasu, Japan have a settled head coach who has been in the position since taking charge in 2018.
Japan are in a favourable group alongside the likes of Indonesia, Iraq and Vietnam and should have a fairly straightforward path to the round of 16.
Given the settled nature of the squad and the quality of players impressing in Europe, Japan are deservedly in the conversation for outright Asian Cup winners for what would be the fifth time in their history.
Tip 2 - South Korea to win Asian Cup Outright @ 24/5
Another powerhouse from the East, South Korea are also expected to be serious contenders to lift the trophy next month.
Winners of the first two tournaments in 1956 and 1960, it has been a long wait for South Korea supporters in this competition for success.
Skipper Son Heung-min is their talisman and one of the poster boys for this upcoming Asian Cup. Much will rest on whether the Tottenham Hotspur captain can stay fit throughout the group stages, with South Korea set to face another easy group alongside Malaysia, Jordan and Bahrain.
At 24/5, South Korea will certainly be worth considering in the outright winner market.
Tip 3 - Iran to win Asian Cup Outright @ 13/2
Looking to a potential outsider to claim what would be their fourth Asian Cup, Iran are an intriguing prospect. Iran are the second-highest ranked nation heading into the competition in 21st place, two above fellow contenders South Korea.
Team Melli held their own at the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and just missed out on a place in the knockout stages.
Beating Wales 2-0, Iran lost their final game to the USA 1-0 to see them finish in third place and out of the World Cup.
With lessons learnt from that experience and with star striker Mehdi Taremi a real threat in attack, Iran might be a side that go under the radar at this Asian Cup but are worth keeping an eye on.
