more freds.

Asian Cup kicks off today. Being hosted, of course, in Qatar.

Japan, South Korea, Iran and Australia favourites. My pick is Japan. 6 groups of 4, top 2 qualify + 4 best runners-up.

First round of fixtures:

Friday, Jan. 12
Group A: Qatar vs. Lebanon

Saturday, Jan. 13
Group B: Australia vs. India
Group A: China vs. Tajikistan
Group B: Uzbekistan vs. Syria

Sunday, Jan. 14
Group D: Japan vs. Vietnam
Group C: United Arab Emirates vs. Hong Kong
Group C: Iran vs. Palestine

Monday, Jan. 15
Group E: South Korea vs. Bahrain
Group D: Indonesia vs. Iraq
Group E: Malaysia vs. Jordan

Tuesday, Jan. 16
Group F: Thailand vs. Kyrgyz Republic
Group F: Saudi Arabia vs. Oman


AFCON

Starts on Saturday, hosted in Ivory Coast. Hosts also appear to be bookies favourites, alongside Morocco, Senegal and Algeria. My pick is the hosts to win it all.

6 groups of 4, top 2 qualify + 4 best runners-up.

Saturday 13 January
Group A: Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau

Sunday 14 January
Group A: Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea
Group B: Egypt vs Mozambique
Group B: Ghana vs Cape Verde

Monday 15 January
Group C: Senegal vs The Gambia
Group C: Cameroon vs Guinea
Group D: Algeria vs Angola

Tuesday 16 January

Group D: Burkina Faso vs Mauritania
Group E: Tunisia vs Namibia
Group E: Mali vs South Africa

Wednesday 17 January
Group F: Morocco vs Tanzania
Group F: DR Congo vs Zambia