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Bahrain vs Iraq: Gulf Cup of Nations match prediction
The national teams of Bahrain and Iraq started the Gulf Cup of Nations with victories and topped the Group B standings. Who will win the face-to-face confrontation on December 25? We recommend that you read our forecast and choose the exact bets on the game
Command Analysis
Bahrain
BahrainCurrent form
Bahrain has improved significantly in recent times and regularly puts up a decent fight against stronger teams. The team has not lost its chances to qualify for the World Cup, as it is in fifth place in its group at the third stage of the selection with six points and is only one point behind second-placed Australia. In six matches played, the team has suffered only two defeats. At the start of the Gulf Cup of Nations, Bahrain caused a sensation by beating Saudi Arabia 3:2, and in that match they were already leading 2:0 after the first half.
Disqualifications and injuries
The national team has no significant problems with its composition.
Interesting trends for betting
- Three of Bahrain last five matches have seen at least four goals scored
- Bahrain have not lost in the first half in four of their last five matches.
Tentative line-up: Luftfallah, Al-Shamsan, Benaddi, Al-Khayam, Al-Khalasi, Dhiyah, Al-Humaidan, Madan, Maroun, Al-Aswad, Hasan.
Iraq
IraqCurrent form
Iraq are aiming for a direct ticket to the World Cup, sitting second in their group with nine points after six rounds. The team suffered their only defeat in the qualifiers against the leader South Korea (2:3). In the group stage of the Gulf Cup of Nations, the team started with a minimal 1:0 victory over Yemen. There was no rout in that match, as the opponent was tightly locked in defense, which they managed to break through only once in the middle of the second half.
Disqualifications and injuries
There are no injured or disqualified players in the national team.
Interesting trends for betting
- There have been no goals scored in Iraq last three matches
- In two of the last three matches, the Iraqi team has drawn with its opponents in the first half
Tentative line-up: Hashim, Jeaze, Tahsin, Al-Tekreti, Saadoun, Bayesh, Attwan, Jasim, Yasin, Amin, Hussein.
Trends
Bet Bahrain to score in the second half
Bahrain have scored in the second 45 minutes in three of their last five matches
1.72Bet Total first half under 1.5 goals
Nine of the previous ten head-to-head matches have seen no more than one goal scored in the first half
1.30Bet Exact score 1:1
The teams have drawn in their last four head-to-head matches
5.50Tip and bets
Bahrain has made significant progress recently and has already managed to defeat the difficult Saudi Arabia at the tournament, the team is clearly on the move now. Iraq, in general, is a more prestigious team in the region, but at the moment it is not superior to the upcoming opponent in any way. In addition, Bahrain has never lost to the Iraqi team since 2010. We think that the bookmakers are somewhat underestimating the nominal hosts in this pair.
Our prediction is Bahrain will not lose at odds of 1.62
Bet on total
We don't expect more than two goals in the match. In ten previous face-to-face encounters, the opponents have only once had a productive battle, scoring four goals.
The second bet is total under 2.5 goals with odds of 1.56
Bet on the first half
In the three previous face-to-face matches, a draw was recorded at the end of the first half. In our opinion, today the teams will not force the events on the field either.
Forecast - draw in the first half with odds of 2.00
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