There could be bad news for Australian Socceroos fans this Thursday night, if these animals’ predictions are to be believed.
Following in the footsteps of the late octopus Paul, who became a sensation at Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup, a cute meerkat called Timon and a goat named Zabiyaka have merged as clairvoyants for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Zabiyaka, who lives at Samara Zoo in Russia, ate a plate of food behind a sign in Russian meaning ‘draw’ ahead of Thursday night’s group C match between Denmark and Australia.
Fellow Samara Zoo resident Timon was more certain there would be a winner and predicted a win for Denmark.
Timon the meerkat believes Denmark will beat the Socceroos on Thursday night
![Zabiyaka the goat couldn't predict a winner between the Socceroos and Denmark](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/17/4D67D6B900000578-5860891-Zabiyaka_the_goat_couldn_t_predict_a_winner_between_the_Socceroo-a-40_1529424189194.jpg)
Zabiyaka the goat couldn’t predict a winner between the Socceroos and Denmark
Sportsbet has Denmark at short odds as $1.83 favourites to win while Australia are out to $4.50 with $3.50 for a draw.
Zabiyaka has already correctly predicted the outcome of Russia’s recent friendly matches against France and Brazil.
‘Zabiyaka is in the prime of life – she is going on her second birthday – and she is ready to take on the honorable oracle mission of the 2018 Football World Cup,’ chief breeder Dmitry Kazandaev was quoted as saying.
Other Russians oracles making their predictions about the outcomes of World Cup matches include Achilles the cat, Harry the otter, Cleopatra the tapir, hippos Milya and Glyasiik, raccoon Nafanya the raccoon, Pushik the rabbit, Puzyr the whale and Spartak the lemur.
Meanwhile, Zabiyaka has also predicted which team will hold the World Cup aloft on July 15 in Moscow.
![Timon the meerkat from Russia's Samara Zoo had no interest in backing Australia](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/17/4D67D6C900000578-5860891-Timon_the_meerkat_from_Russia_s_Samara_Zoo_had_no_interest_in_ba-a-41_1529424189280.jpg)
Timon the meerkat from Russia’s Samara Zoo had no interest in backing Australia
![If you believe Zabiyaka's prediction for the Socceroos' clash against Denmark, Sportsbet has priced a draw at $3.50](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/16/4D67D6C500000578-5860891-If_you_believe_Zabiyaka_s_prediction_for_the_Socceroos_clash_aga-a-2_1529422646137.jpg)
If you believe Zabiyaka’s prediction for the Socceroos’ clash against Denmark, Sportsbet has priced a draw at $3.50
After being presented with the flags of Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Belgium, France and Russia – each with an equal plate of food, the goat immediately predicted third ranked Belgium to beat France in the final.
To get there, they will first have to win against Tunisia and England in group G following the opening win against Panama, which will set them up for a meeting with possibly Columbia or Poland in the next round.
First and second placed Germany and Brazil have already lost their opening World Cup matches.
![Fellow Samara Zoo resident Zabiyaka the goat preferred to sit on the fence](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/17/4D67D6CD00000578-5860891-Fellow_Samara_Zoo_resident_Zabiyaka_the_goat_preferred_to_sit_on-a-42_1529424190242.jpg)
Fellow Samara Zoo resident Zabiyaka the goat preferred to sit on the fence