Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
In the final group stage match of the Gulf Cup of Nations, Saudi Arabia will face Iraq. Here's a match preview and a betting suggestion focused on the total goals.
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Saudi Arabia vs Iraq: Match facts and head-to-head stats
- Saudi Arabia has conceded goals in four consecutive matches.
- Iraq’s last four matches have seen a total of two goals or fewer.
- Saudi Arabia boasts one of the best attacks in the Gulf Cup of Nations, with five goals scored.
- Saudi Arabia scores more than 1.5 goals per match in 79% of their recent games.
- Saudi Arabia has a higher percentage of goals scored in both halves (29%) and a lower rate of goals conceded in both halves (21%).
- Iraq, however, has the best clean-sheet percentage in the tournament at 57%.
- In their last encounter, Iraq defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0. Over the past five matches between the two teams, both have won twice, with one draw.
Saudi Arabia vs Iraq: Match preview
Saudi Arabia and Iraq enter this match in identical positions. The Saudis suffered an unexpected 2-3 loss to Bahrain in their opening match but managed to edge Yemen 3-2 in a tough second-round game. With three points and a 5:5 goal difference after two matches, Saudi Arabia boasts one of the tournament's strongest attacks (shared with Bahrain) but also the weakest defense.
Iraq began their Gulf Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Yemen but then lost 0-2 to Bahrain in their second match. They also have three points but a negative goal difference of 1:2, putting them behind Saudi Arabia on this metric. This makes a win crucial for Iraq, while Saudi Arabia can potentially advance with a draw.
It’s worth noting that Iraq is the reigning Gulf Cup of Nations champion, having won their first title in the previous edition. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has two titles to their name, though their last triumph came in the early 2000s.
Probable lineups
- Saudi Arabia: Al-Owais, Al-Ghannam, Boushal, Al-Bulayhi, Al-Tambakti, Al-Dawsari, Al-Juwair, Kanno, Al-Malki, Radif, Al-Dawsari
- Iraq: Hasan, Ahmed Maknzi, Sulaka, Saadun, Tahsin, Iqbal, Bayesh, Atwan, Hussein, Jasim, Yasin
Prediction
This is an incredibly important match for both teams, as it will determine which advances to the semifinals. It promises to be a tense and tightly contested affair, but likely not a high-scoring one. My bet is on the total goals being under 2.5, with odds of 1.56.
