Sports Mole previews Thursday’s World Cup Qualifying – Asia clash between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Saudi Arabia will be looking to continue their unbeaten run in the second round of World Cup qualifying when they travel to face Pakistan in the penultimate game in Group G.
The visitors could confirm their place in the third round of qualifying with a point in either of their final two fixtures, while the hosts are yet to pick up a single point from four games.
Match preview
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Saudi Arabia come into these final two games in the second round of World Cup qualifying at the top of Group G with 10 points from four matches, only dropping points for the first time in their last outing as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Tajikistan.
While it is still mathematically possible for Saudi Arabia to miss out on progressing into the third round they need just a point from their final two games against two teams they beat comfortably in the opening two matches.
Roberto Mancini kicked off the second round of qualifying yet to record a victory for Saudi Arabia, losing three and drawing one of his opening four friendlies in charge, but they have gone on to lose just once in the following 11 matches across all competitions.
A 4-0 win against Pakistan on the opening day of the group kickstarted that impressive run and a similar performance and result will be expected from this upcoming encounter.
Saudi Arabia have conceded just once in their four matches thus far, only Japan and Australia have conceded fewer at this stage, and with Pakistan scoring just once and conceding 20 times, the visitors will be confident of taking all three points.
As for the hosts, their chances of qualifying for the World Cup are already over with two games still to play as they have failed to take any points from the first four fixtures, one of only three teams yet to get a point on the board across the nine groups.
They have also conceded the most of any side up to this point, letting 20 goals past them with no fewer than three goals scored in each of their last four outings.
Pakistan will be hoping to at least end the round with some pride by picking up at least a point in the final two games, but with just one win and one draw in their last 18 across all competitions that will be a tough task.
Pakistan World Cup Qualifying – Asia form:
Saudi Arabia World Cup Qualifying – Asia form:
Saudi Arabia form (all competitions):
Team News
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Rahis Nabi is the only player to have scored for the hosts so far in the second round of World Cup qualifying, pulling one back for Pakistan to make it 2-1 against Tajikistan before eventually losing 6-1, and the midfielder is expected to start here.
Despite conceding more than anyone else in the competition thus far Yousuf Butt has played every minute in Pakistan’s qualification campaign, and the goalkeeper is expected to feature again here.
As for the visitors, Saleh Al-Shehri leads the way for Saudi Arabia in goals with four from his four appearances and the striker is expected to lead the line for his side here.
Salem Al-Dawsari has captained the side in recent matches and is coming off the back of his most prolific goalscoring season with 24 goals in 48 games for Al Hilal, and the midfielder is expected to captain the side again in this one.
Pakistan possible starting lineup:
Butt; Hayat, Suliman, Saddam, Khan; Ghazi, Nabi, Hamid; Ullah, Kayani, Arshad
Saudi Arabia possible starting lineup:
Al-Owais; Lajami, Al Saluli, Albulayhi; Mukhtar; Abdulhamid, Kanno, S Al-Dawsari, N Al-Dawsari; Al-Shehri, Ghareeb
We say: Pakistan 0-4 Saudi Arabia
Pakistan have had a dreadful time in Group G with no points recorded and now come up against the first-placed side in Saudi Arabia, who will be looking to confirm their place at the top of the group with a victory.
The visitors are clearly the favourites for an overwhelming win, and we expect them to comfortably take the three points from this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.