Saudi Arabia VS Iraq Match Prediction

In 31 matches, Iraq has 15 wins to Saudi Arabia's 10.  There have also been six draws.  Here's a look at the last five meetings:

Sep 6, 2016: Iraq 1-2 Saudi Arabia (Qualifiers)
Nov 15, 2013: Saudi Arabia 2-1 Iraq (Asian Cup Qualifiers)
Oct 15, 2013: Iraq 0-2 Saudi Arabia (Asian Cup Qualifiers)
Mar 22, 2009: Saudi Arabia 0-0 Iraq (Friendly)
Jul 29, 2007: Iraq 1-0 Saudi Arabia (AFC Asian Cup)

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Saudi Arabia vs Iraq Prediction

The Saudis had enough to win “away” to Iraq, so they should have plenty to get the job done and bring all three points back here.

Correct Score Prediction: Saudi Arabia 2-0 Iraq

Saudi Arabia vs Iraq Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Saudi Arabia are at 8/15 to win, a draw is at 11/4, and an Iraq win is at 6/1.

Iraq's double chance odds are at 8/5 should they win or draw.  The same for Saudi Arabia is at 1/9.

Both teams to score is at 6/5 for yes and 8/13 for no.

A 1-0 win for Saudi Arabia at full time could bring you 9/1 odds if correct.

Reason: The bookmakers are heavily in the Saudi camp here due to them being so high up in the group thus far.  And Iraq have had a struggle of it despite doing their best and trying to make it tough on the other teams.  The head to head record is basically ignored in this one due to many of the circumstances having changed down the years.  
 

Team News

Dutchman Bert van Marwijk doesn't have a team with many well-known players in it.  The other top sides in Asia seem to have at least some guys that you know but van Marwijk has been resigned to treading through rough waters without.  But he does have the advantage of nearly all of his players playing in Saudi Arabia, so this gives him the chance to work with them and to build much better chemistry within the camp.  

Key Man

Saudi striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi is one of the most lethal strikers in international football at the moment.  In his 29 caps, he has scored an outrageous 27 goals.  He scored one of them against Thailand last time out. This is a step up in competition, but he is still quite the man to turn to.  The 30 year old is also approaching 100 goals for his club side Al-Nassr, so he has been in top goal scoring form all over the place of late.  

Team Form

Saudi Arabia have three wins, one loss, and one draw in their last five group matches.  They won 0-3 at Thailand on Thursday to remain on top of the group.

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

Team News

Radhi Shenaishil will most likely stick with his pesky side that earned a point against Australia in Iran.  This side is probably the worst team in Asia to face- barring maybe Japan or Iran- if you need to win and set down a marker.  This is a very physical side that know that they won't be qualifying at this point but will still be pressing for as many points as possible.  Look for the game plan to be to stifle the Saudis and try to pick them off on the counter.

Key Man

Udinese man Ali Adnan is the go-to man most of the time for Iraq.  At Udinese, he's usually played as a marauding left back.  But for his nation, he is an attacking creative midfielder that has the license to roam just about anywhere on the left side of the pitch.  He's played 46 times for his nation already in a number of roles, and he's found the back of the net three times.  He is a big player and tough to match up with, so it could be a long night for whomever his marker turns out to be.  

Team Form

Iraq have one draw, three losses, and one win in their last five qualifiers.  They drew 1-1 in Tehran against Australia on Thursday to hurt the Aussies' hopes of qualification.

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

With trips to Australia and the UAE to come and a home match against Japan, Saudi Arabia need to put as many points on the board as they can right now. They will be facing serious opposition, and they may have to try for draws in a couple of those matches to maintain their spot in the group. This match is much more important than it seems, then. Iraq are out of contention, but they know that they can ruin their rivals\' campaign with a win or draw here. Remember, they have beaten them in a big match before: the 2007 Asian Cup Final.

Saudi Arabia haven\'t been to a World Cup since 2002, but they are just about there and will need about ten more points to push them across the line. They need it as well because they have the other top teams in the group to come after this one.