Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Already storming their way to top spot in Group A, Iran will travel to Doha on Thursday night when they meet Qatar.
Qatar
Starting with the hosts, enduring a major Gulf Cup nightmare last year as they failed to win any of their three group stage appearances, Qatar have continued to show some glaring issues over the past 12 months. Last seen in qualifying action putting in another worrying display as they slumped to a 3-1 loss away at Kyrgyzstan, new boss Julen Lopetegui has a real job on his hands. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny back in November as they slumped to a woeful 5-0 drumming against the UAE, Qatar have mustered just a single victory from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Likewise, hit with a 4-1 defeat when they met Iran for their reverse qualifying contest on October 15th, the Maroons will be bracing themselves for a stern examination here.
Qatar Team News
Shown a second-half red card away at Kyrgyzstan back on March 25th, veteran defender Lucas Mendes will miss out through suspension here. Notching five Group C strikes this year and with no playing recording more qualifying goals, Al-Duhail striker Almoez Ali will lead the line on Thursday night.
Still widely regarded as Qatar’s poster boy, one-time Villarreal star Akram Afif will lead out Lopetegui’s maiden side and will earn a 124th international cap in Doha. No player in Qatar’s squad plays their domestic football outside of the Middle Eastern.
Iran
As for the visitors, enjoying what has become a sensational World Cup qualifying romp, Iran have rightfully received a string of plaudits. Knowing that they can officially punch top spot in Group A here, Amir Ghalenoei’s men are riding a major wave of momentum and should be smelling a golden opportunity when they travel to Doha. g off 2024 with an action-packed 3-2 victory away at Kyrgyzstan, the Whites have put 20 points on the board from their eight appearances. Storming their way to that 4-1 romp when they welcomed Qatar to Tehran back in October, Iran will be excited by their free-scoring performances in the final third. Along with notching 16 qualifying strikes, Thursday’s guests have also bagged a trio of goals in their back-to-back victories on foreign.
Iran Team News
In what could be a major blow for Iran on Thursday night, Sardar Azmoun is seen as a major doubt after sustaining a recent foot injury. Despite suffering Champions League heartbreak with Inter Milan last weekend, attacking talisman Mehdi Taremi will lead the line here.
Missing each of Heerenveen’s final five domestic appearances, skipper Alireza Jahanbakhsh has not been included in Ghalenoei’s squad. Former Brentford star Saman Ghoddos will start in the middle of the park and earn a 58th international cap.
Qatar vs Iran Key Factors to Consider
- When Qatar and Iran met for their reverse World Cup qualifying showdown on October 15th, Thursday’s guests stormed their way to a 4-1 romp in Tehran.
- In fact, Iran have won seven of their previous eight meetings against Qatar across all competitions.
- Iran have ed 20 points from their eight World Cup qualifying appearances.
- Qatar have mustered just a sole victory from any of their previous six appearances across all fronts.
- Iran have seen four of their previous five Group A appearances finish with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Knowing that they can officially wrap up top spot in Group A here, Iran will travel to Doha smelling the chance to lay down another marker. Storming their way to a 4-1 romp when they met Qatar for their reverse World Cup qualifying showdown on October 15th, the Whites hold what is a dominant record against Thursday’s hosts. With Qatar failing to record a single clean sheet from any of their previous 12 appearances across all competitions, we could be set for an enjoyable Group A battle in midweek. It should be noted, with Iran seeing four of their last five qualifying matchups finish with both teams finding the net, we are backing a similar outcome.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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