Philippines vs Pakistan — Tips & Analysis

Philippines -1.5: Pakistan cannot score and they cannot stop goals either, and that gap is why we want the Philippines to win well. Pakistan have scored 4 goals in their last 16 games and let in more than 2 a game. They have won 1 of those 16 and lost by 2 or more in 9 of them. Thailand beat them 4-0 three days ago and they sit bottom of the group. The Philippines have won 7 of their last 17 games and score more than a goal a game. They have looked blunt against the better teams, losing 0-1 to Vietnam, 0-1 to Malaysia and 0-1 to Thailand. Against weak teams it is a different story. They won 4-1 at Laos, beat Timor-Leste 4-1 and 3-1, and won 2-0 in the Maldives. This is a tournament game on neutral ground, so neither side is at home. Pakistan will sit very deep after letting in four, but holding that shape for 90 minutes against this gap in class is hard. A 3-0 Philippines win is the most likely finish, and that is well clear of what we need. The risk is the Philippines finding the net at all. They have not scored in three of their last four games. Both teams have had only 3 days rest, and the Philippines squad is young, so changes are likely. We still expect a clear win here.