Thailand U23 vs Kyrgyz Republic U23 — Tips & Analysis

Under 2.5: Both of these teams have been quiet in front of goal, and that is the case for a low-scoring night. This one is played on neutral ground in Japan, so neither side gets a home crowd. Thailand let in just over a goal a game across their last 12, with goalless ties against China and Myanmar in there. Their scoring numbers lean on a 6-0 over Mongolia and a 4-0 over Timor-Leste. Against better teams they tied 0-0 with China and 1-1 with Iraq. Kyrgyzstan have been worse. They lost all three of their Asian Cup group games in January, 0-1 to Jordan, 1-2 to Vietnam and 0-1 to Saudi Arabia. They scored once in those three games. Away from home they have won once in five and score less than a goal a game. Neither squad has played a competitive game in about eight months, and a first group game is rarely a loose one. Thailand have also tied five of their last 12 games, which fits the same picture. A 1-0 is the likeliest score, and that lands this one well inside. The honest worry is that 7 of Thailand's last 12 games had 3 or more goals in them. Both sides have let in goals in most of their recent games too, and eight months off can make defences rusty. We still want the quiet game here.