Iraq meet United Arab Emirates in Riyadh with both countries still harbouring hopes of qualifying for this year's World Cup.

The two sides are targeting a playoff place in Asian qualifying; Iraq are currently fifth in Group A, four points behind UAE who are in third.

Match preview

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This game was set to be the first official international in Baghdad since the 2003 US-led invasion, but it has been switched to Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh due Sunday's missile attack on the northern city of Erbil.

Iraq have not won any of their eight games in the group so far, but remain in contention for qualification following five draws. However, only a victory in this fixture will keep their hopes alive before they face bottom of the table Syria in the final group game next week.

The squad's confidence will have been boosted by a 3-1 win over Zambia in a friendly last week, which was Abdul Ghani Shahad's first game in charge.

Abdul-Ghani, previously the country's Under-23 manager, has replaced Montenegrin Zeljko Petrovic who was sacked last month.

Iraq, who have only appeared at the World Cup once before in 1986, are the lowest scorers in this stage of Asian qualifying with just four goals in eight games.

With Iran and South Korea already qualified from Group A, UAE currently occupy the playoff place; if they can hold on to it they will face the third-placed team in Group B and then an intercontinental playoff if victorious.

They are currently three points ahead of fourth-place Lebanon, meaning they can secure a playoff spot if they win this game and Lebanon fail to beat Syria. UAE then face South Korea next week and Lebanon meet Iran.

Like Iraq, UAE have turned to a new manager in the hope of securing a place at their first World Cup since 1990; this is a first game at the helm for ex-Argentinian international Rodolfo Arruabarrena.

He succeeds former Netherlands boss Bert van Marwijk, who was fired after a run of three defeats in four matches.

These two countries played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture in qualifying, as Ali Mabkhout scored a 94th-minute equaliser for UAE after Aymen Hussein had appeared to win it for Iraq in the 89th minute.

Team News

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Iraq's first choice goalkeeper Fahad Talib has suffered a knee injury and is absent, so Mohammed Hameed is likely to get the nod between the sticks.

Centre-back Saad Natiq scored in the friendly against Zambia last week, but has since pulled out of the squad due to injury.

Manchester United teenager Zidane Iqbal will be hoping to earn more minutes after making his debut in January.

UAE frontman Ali Mabkhout, who has 14 goals across all stages of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, is available again after missing the games earlier in the year.

Like his opposite number, Rodolfo Arruabarrena is also without his first choice goalkeeper as Ali Khasif is sidelined.

Iraq possible starting lineup:
Hameed; Karim, Ibrahim, Younis, Raed, Ismail; Ali Abbood, Abdul-Amir; Abdulkareem, Hussein, Bayesh

United Arab Emirates possible starting lineup:
Al-Shamsi; Hussain, Al-Attas, Abbas, Al Hammadi; Hassan, Salmin; Al-Zaabi, Saleh, Al Ghassani; Mabkhout

We say: Iraq 1-1 United Arab Emirates

This is a really intriguing clash as both countries have new managers and both can still finish in Group A's playoff spot. We think it will end all square, which would end Iraq's hopes and leave UAE going into their final game against South Korea with all to play for.

Written by
Olly Allen

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