Thailand vs Singapore — Tips & Analysis

Singapore +1.5: Singapore rarely get beaten badly, and that is the case for this pick. They have lost only twice in their last 12 games. In ten of those twelve they have either won or stayed within one goal. Their away record is strong too, at 4 wins, 1 tie and 1 loss. Thailand are the better side and they have won their last five. At home, though, they are far more careful than that record suggests. Across eight home games they have scored under 2 goals a game and let in under a goal. The big scores that lift their numbers came against weaker teams: 5-0 at Laos, 6-1 and 2-0 against Chinese Taipei, and 4-0 at Sri Lanka. Thailand also carry a 3-1 lead from the first leg in Singapore. They do not need to chase this one. A team protecting a lead sits in and plays on the break, and that keeps the margin small. A 2-1 Thailand win is the most likely score, and a one goal defeat is exactly what we want. Now the honest part. Thailand have won all nine meetings between these teams, and four of the last five were by two goals or more. If Singapore throw bodies forward late, Thailand will punish them. We are backing Singapore to keep this close anyway.