Samoa vs Tahiti Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Samoa came through the preliminary round of OFC qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they now prepare to take on one of the stronger sides in Oceania, Tahiti, this week.
Kick-off date/time: Friday 15th November, 2024: UK – 3:00am / Thursday 14th November, 2024: US ET – 10:00pm / US PT – 7:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – FIFA+ / US – FIFA+
Samoa Preview: WEAK SAMOA
As mentioned, Samoa were the side that came through the four-team preliminary round to make the second round ‘proper’ phase of OFC qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with victories over American Samoa and then Tonga after extra-time.
The Samoans had home advantage in that mini tournament and they began the second round with a hammering last month. They suffered a 4-1 defeat to Vanuatu in Vanuatu in a result that actually flattered them.
Tahiti Preview: DREAMING TAHITI
Tahiti are the only side outside of Australia and New Zealand to win the OFC Nations Cup when they won it in 2012 and qualified for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup so they will believe they have a chance of an intercontinental playoff spot.
However, in the neutral venue of the VFF Freshwater Stadium in Port Vila in Vanuatu, the Tahitians began their qualifying campaign with a 3-0 loss to New Zealand thanks to goals from Elijah Just, Chris Wood and Ben Waine.
Samoa Team News: POOR SAMOAN SQUAD
Captain and centre-back Andrew Setefano remains in charge of a Samoan squad with other key players such as Kaleb De Groot-Green and Dauntae Mariner.
PREDICTED XI (4-5-1): Taupau; Tolo Kent, Setefano, Chote, Salisbury; Vine, Hamilton-Pama, De Groot-Green, Mariner, Vaai; Tumua Leo
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
Tahiti Team News: AVERAGE TAHITI SQUAD
Tahiti have quite an average squad lacking experience and quality but there are some key players such as captain Teaonui Tehau and 35-year-old forward Benoit Mathon.
PREDICTED XI (5-3-2): Decoret; Kaspard, Paama, A. Tehau, Poma, Heitaa; Tiatia, R. Tehau, Lossec; Mathon, T. Tehau
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
Key Stats
- Tahiti have won the previous seven international matches between these two teams. Most recently, a 2-0 victory in the group stage of the OFC Nations Cup in June 2024.
- Samoa are aiming to win three matches in a World Cup qualifying campaign for the first time.
- None of Samoa’s previous 29 World Cup qualifying matches finished without a goal being scored.
- Tahiti have lost their last four World Cup qualifying matches.
Samoa vs Tahiti Prediction
The level of Oceanian international football is very low so neither of these two sides have much quality and are both expected to eventually finish third and fourth behind New Zealand and Vanuatu. They were both dismissed in the opening match day and goals are not to be expected regardless of the match result but Tahiti remain a stronger side than Samoa and a low-scoring Tahitian win is the most likely outcome.
Samoa vs Tahiti Tip: TAHITI TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
