Bahrain vs Australia Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | AFC World Cup Qualifiers, November 19, 2024

Bahrain vs Australia Preview

• Competition: AFC World Cup Qualifiers.
• Date: Tuesday, November 19.
• Time: 7:15 PM GMT.
• Venue: Bahrain National Stadium.

Bahrain vs Australia will be the sixth match for these two teams in Group C of the AFC World Cup Qualifiers as the fifth-placed side gears up to host the team in second place.

Hosts Bahrain will enter this match on the back of a stuttering run of form. Having defeated the same rivals Australia back in September, they are winless in their last four outings. This includes two draws and two defeats as they are desperate for positive results. Their last match was a 1-0 reverse against China as they will look to revive their form and try and rescue their qualification campaign.

Australia, on the other hand, will enter their next match on the back of a faltering run of form as well. They have managed three draws, one win and suffered one defeat in their last five matches across competitions. While their last two matches have arguably been the toughest fixtures, with draws against Japan and Saudi Arabia, they will look to return to winning ways against Bahrain, whom they lost to in the last break.

Having said that, let’s take a look at the team news coming out of both camps.

Bahrain National Football Team News

Bahrain and manager Dragan Talajic will be licking their wounds after a last-gasp 1-0 defeat against China last time out. They will also be without Waleed Al-Hayam after he received a straight red card in that match, meaning he will be suspended for this one. Apart from that, they should have everyone fit and ready for selection for their match against Australia.

Australia National Football Team News

The Socceroos played out a tense 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia in their last match and performed reasonably well. However, manager Tony Popovic will have one injury doubt to deal with. Substitute Nishan Velupillay came on during the half-time break but needed to be subbed off in the 74^th minute after picking up a knock. His participation will be in doubt for the next one, but everyone else should be fit and available.

Predicted Lineups

Bahrain National Football Team Predicted Lineup (3-4-3)

Goalkeeper: Ebrahim Lutfalla.

Defenders: Amine Benaddi, Hamad Al-Shamsan, Sayed Dhiya Saeed (C).

Midfielders: Vincent Emmanuel, Abbas Al-Asfoor, Ali Haram, Mohammed Jasim Marhoon.

Forwards: Ali Madan, Mahdi Abduljabbar, Kamil Al-Aswad.

ALSO READ: Sweden vs Slovakia Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News| UEFA Nations League, November 15, 2024

Australia National Football Team Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)

Goalkeeper: Joe Gauci.

Defenders: Jason Geria, Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess.

Midfielders: Lewis Miller, Aiden O’Neill, Jackson Irvine (C), Jordan Bos.

Forwards: Ajdin Hrustic, Mitchell Duke, Riley McGree.

Bahrain vs Australia Head-to-Head Record

Apart from the last match between the two sides in which Bahrain recorded their first-ever win against Australia, the latter have won all four other meetings between the two.

Key Players to Watch

Ebrahim Lutfalla (Bahrain)

The goalkeeper was an important figure in the team’s last match as he put in a strong performance between the sticks. Although they lost 1-0 to a last minute goal from China, Lutfalla’s presence will once again be key for his team as they prepare for their next match. He made two saves and played nine long balls last time around.

Harry Souttar (Australia)

The defensive player was key in their draws against Japan and Saudi Arabia as he put in solid performances in both matches. In the last one against Saudi, he won four duels, making three interceptions, two clearances and one block. Souttar also played one key pass and four long balls to aid his team’s build-up play.

Bahrain vs Australia Prediction

Going by recent results and the form these two are in, it is difficult to look past Australia in this one. Although they lost the reverse fixture 1-0 last time around, they have enough quality to bounce back and secure a positive result this time.

Prediction: Bahrain 1-2 Australia

Where to watch Bahrain vs Australia live?

ALSO READ: Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland Prediction, Preview, Team News, and Lineups | UEFA Nations League, November 18, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)