Iran vs Qatar Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | World Cup Qualifiers, October 15, 2024

Iran vs Qatar Preview

Tournament: AFC World Cup Qualifiers
Date: Tuesday, October 15
Kick-off Time: 11 AM GMT
Venue: Al-Rashid Stadium, UAE

Iran and Qatar lock horns in neutral UAE for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. With seven points in three games, Team Melli are in second position of Group A and well placed to reach the showpiece. They beat Kyrgyzstan and the UAE in their first two qualifying games, before playing out a goalless stalemate with Uzbekistan last week.

On the other hand, Qatar, hosts of the previous edition of the World Cup, are battling to keep their progression hopes alive as they sit in fourth position out of six with just four points. The Maroons lost to the UAE in their opening game, before drawing to North Korea, but picked up their first win of the campaign against Kyrgyzstan on Thursday.

Iran National Football Team News

Despite a draw in their last game, head coach Amir Ghalenoei may stick with the same XI as last time, with Saleh Hardani being the only exception. He was sent off on Friday and will miss the fixture here. Abolfazl Jalali may come into his place on the right-back spot.

Qatar National Football Team News

Having beaten Kyrgyzstan convincingly in their last game, Qatar may field the same group of players as last time.

Iran vs Qatar H2H Record

There have been 26 clashes between the sides before, with Iran winning 17 times and losing to Qatar on just four occasions, including a 3-2 loss in their latest encounter coming in January this year at the AFC Asian Cup.

Last 5 results:

Qatar 3-2 Iran – AFC Asian Cup – 7 February 2024

Iran 4-0 Qatar – Jordan International Friendly Tournament – 17 October 2023

Qatar 1-2 Iran – Friendly – 31 December 2018

Qatar 0-1 Iran – FIFA World Cup qualifiers – 23 March 2017

Iran 2-0 Qatar – FIFA World Cup qualifiers – 1 September 2016

Iran vs Qatar Predicted Lineups

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

Goalkeeper: Alireza Beiranvand

Defenders: Abolfazl Jalali, Shojae Khalilzadeh, Ali Nemati, Milad Mohammadi

Midfielders: Mohammad Mohebi, Saeid Ezatolahi

Forwards: Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Saman Ghoddos, Sardar Azmoun; Mehdi Taremi

Qatar National Football Team Predicted Lineup (4-4-1-1)

Goalkeeper: Meshaal Barsham

Defenders: Ismaeel Mohammad, Boualem Khoukhi, Lucas Mendes, Abdelkarim Hassan

Midfielders: Abdelrahman Moustafa, Abdulaziz Hatem, Ahmed Fatehi, Edmilson Junior

Forwards: Akram Afif; Almoez Ali

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Key Players To Watch In Iran vs Qatar

Sardar Azmoun (Iran)

The Iranian Messi came into the international break on the back of a good run at Al-Ahli, netting nine goals from nine games. He’s also the most prolific player active for Team Melli with 53 goals, the most in their nation’s history behind only Ali Daei (109). Azmoun was uncharacteristically quiet on Friday, but could burst to life here against Qatar’s shaky defense.

Almoez Ali (Qatar)

If Iran has Sardar Azmoun, Qatar has Almoez Ali. The Al-Duhail hitman has struck in each of their last two qualifying games, against Kyrgyzstan and North Korea, and will be looking to add to his all-time tally of 56 goals for the Maroons, the most prolific in the nation’s history.

Iran vs Qatar Prediction

Qatar don’t have a good record in the fixture but will be confident of their chances after their emphatic victory last week. However, it’s also worth mentioning that Iran are no Kyrgyzstan and boasts some really talented forwards who can make them pay for their defensive sloppiness. Expect a close encounter with Team Melli eventually winning.

Prediction: Iran 2-1 Qatar

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