Chinese Taipei - Timor Leste predictions and free betting tips [12/10/2023]

Greetings to all football enthusiasts! It's time for the decisive World Cup 2026 qualifying matches for Asian national teams. The teams that come out on top after the two-legged confrontation will advance to the next round of World Cup qualifiers. Let's look at the game where the Taiwanese national team will take on the East Timor team at home.

Taiwan National Team

Something unexplainable is happening within the Taiwan national team. The cause is rooted in the situation in their base club - Taiwan Steel. The three-time champions are mired in various disputes and intrigues, both within the team and beyond. A case in point is the recent incident when player Ho Hung didn't attend a team training session, opting instead to fly to Australia for a club trial, before famously falling out with Taiwan Steel's coach, Micky. The next day, the head coach didn't show up at club training, citing family issues. However, some sources report that Micky was spotted in a Taipei strip club, heavily intoxicated. After a disgraceful defeat in the AFC Cup's opening round, the second round match against "CPK" was postponed due to weather conditions. It was also revealed that the team's captain had the means to ensure the match took place as scheduled but chose not to. Later, one of the team's leading players called the captain a scoundrel during a team meeting. All this negatively affects the atmosphere of the national team, the majority of whom belong to Taiwan Steel. Let's see if the players can maintain their professionalism within the Taiwan national team amidst such turmoil.

East Timor National Team

East Timor's national team isn't a middling side by Asian standards - the stats speak for themselves. In their last nine matches, they've recorded a single 1-0 victory against Brunei, along with 9 defeats, notably by Thailand (0-2), Myanmar (0-2), Philippines (0-7), Indonesia (1-4 and 0-3), Cambodia (1-2), and Brunei (2-6). Altogether, they've let in 26 goals, averaging 3 per match. With such a leaky defence, it will be challenging for East Timor to aim for success, even against a less formidable opponent like Taiwan. Their offensive performance also leaves much to be desired, with only 5 goals scored in 9 matches. However, with maximum dedication and a bit of luck, East Timor could have a fighting chance.

Head-to-Head

In their previous three encounters, Taiwan has emerged victorious on each occasion.

Match prediction: Taiwan - East Timor

Disregarding the emotional condition affecting a significant portion of Taiwan Steel's players, purely based on gameplay aspects, East Timor has little chance of ultimate success. The substantial addition of naturalised player Sam to Taiwan's squad offers additional offensive options. The Ivorian forward is capable of single-handedly determining the encounter's outcome against East Timor. At the same time, East Timor's defence is faltering; it's unlikely they'll keep a clean sheet. In all three previous encounters, both teams managed to find the back of the net - so the recommended bet is total over (3). Remember to gamble responsibly, best of luck to everyone, and here's to a great match!