Socceroos Predicted Lineup v Turkiye

Photo: Socceroos

Subject to the possibly injury to Mohamed Toure, this should be the starting side Tony Popovic selects for game 1 of the World Cup against Turkiye.

It's clear Popovic likes this formation and will lock down defensively, and try and hit teams on the counter with the pace and skill of Toure, Irankunda, and Volpato.

Volpato looks set to start most likely off the right where he is most comfortable. The lengths Popovic has gone to secure him for the Socceroos surely indicates he intends to start him.

If Toure is ruled out it'll likely be Teti Yengi who gets the nod up top, fresh off a debut goal in the Socceroos 1-1 draw against Switzerland.

The only other question marks are over Cameron Devlin in midfield and Harry Souttar in defence. Based off the season just gone, Devlin you'd link is a lock in the midfield with Jackson Irvine, but Popovic has been reluctant to start Irankunda, which seems like a no-brainer so you never know.

With Souttar in defence, his only issue could be match experience, as he had a lengthy lay off injury, and is only recently fit. If he is deemed not match ready enough to start, we could see a start for teenager Lucas Herrington at centre back. This would be a very bold choice, but if you are selected to play for your nation, the manager obviously believes you're more than capable to perform.