Iran VS China Match Prediction

In 23 matches, Iran have won 13 times to just six Chinese wins.  There have been just four draws.  Here's a look at the last five meetings:

Sep 6, 2016: China 0-0 Iran (Qualifiers)
Sep 3, 2010: China 0-2 Iran (Friendly)
Jun 1, 2009: China 1-0 Iran (Friendly)
Jan 9, 2009: Iran 3-1 China (Friendly)
Jul 15, 2007: China 2-2 Iran (AFC Asian Cup)

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Iran vs China Prediction

Iran will move themselves closer to a place in Russia, and China's hopes will be just about done.

Correct Score Prediction: Iran 2-0 China

Iran vs China Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Iran are at 11/20 to win, a draw is at 5/2, and a China win is at 13/2.

China's double chance odds are at 6/4 while Iran's is at 1/10.

Both teams to score has been set at 11/8 for yes and 8/15 for no.

A 1-0 win for Iran would get you 8/1 odds if correct at the end of the match.

Reason: The bookmakers are favoring Iran because they are the top side in the group and because they are at home.  Even with China's big win, they aren't expected to do very much here except make things very difficult on the Iranians.  

Team News

Portuguese man Carlos Queiroz has a side that are capable of winning multiple ways, which is a very good quality to have at this level of football.  They were able to see out the game against Qatar without playing at their absolute best, and they will be confident of ending China's hopes of going to Russia with victory here.

Key Man

Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand may just have 10 caps to his name and play with Iranian club side Persapolis (a strong side, mind you), but he's still quickly becoming a key figure in this side.  Look at Thursday's match, for example.  He was carded in the late minutes of the match.  What for?  Time wasting.  They were grinding out a win in Qatar, and their goalkeeper was a big part of the end result.  If Iran get a lead here, he will do everything in his power to see it through.  And you'd expect no less of Carlos Queiroz's goalkeeper.  

Team Form

Iran have three wins and two draws in their last five qualifiers.  They won 0-1 in Qatar on Thursday to remain well atop the group.  

Expected Line-up: 3-4-3

Team News

Italian Marcello Lippi played a number of his former Guangzhou players (a total of five, actually) in the win over South Korea, and is probably going to continue to do the same here.  The Italian set his side out to frustrate and to harass, and they succeeded in their mission.  They will most likely try to set out and do the same when they meet Iran, but they might find Iran to be much more physically tough to handle.  

Key Man

Yu Dabao, a 28 year old that currently plays in China with Beijing Guoan, scored the winner with a header from a set play situation against South Korea to give his side a legendary victory over one of their closest rivals.  Yu is quite a tall player for this side, and it's that that makes him different from the other options available to Lippi.  But he's not as likely to have much of an aerial advantage against Iran here, so he will have to depend upon his intelligence and finishing ability if he's to grab a goal for China.  

Team Form

China have one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five qualifiers.  They won 1-0 at home to South Korea on Thursday to give themselves an outside shot at qualification.  

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

Iran are the class of this group, and they should have all of the tools necessary to remain there. In fact, Iran look like the most complete side in all of Asia right now. They\'ve had good teams before, but the quality coming through right now is off the charts. They are great in attack, with an embarrassment of riches really, and they also have notable players elsewhere on the park. This China team is definitely buoyed by their victory over South Korea, but they didn\'t have enough to muster a win at home against Iran. So they shouldn\'t be expected to suddenly do it in Tehran.

1: the number of wins that China have achieved in six group matches so far. However, they are still hoping to qualify for the World Cup. This seems unlikely because they will surely need victory in Iran to have any chance.