Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s World Cup Qualifying – Asia clash between Saudi Arabia and Jordan, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
Saudi Arabia And Jordan both head into the final day of the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup with their place in the third round already assured.
The hosts are top of Group G after five matches and are yet to be beaten, while the visitors are second and three points behind the leaders.
Match Preview
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Roberto Mancini took over the Saudi Arabia job in August 2023 and has struggled for results in his first games in charge, suffering three defeats and earning just one draw in his first four matches.
The first two matches in Group G appeared to reverse their fortunes as they picked up two wins and now enter this final group game with one defeat in their last 12 matches in all competitions.
With their qualification for the third round already assured, Mancini’s side will look to continue their brilliant form and carry their momentum into the next round as they hope for a third consecutive World Cup final appearance.
Saudi Arabia have already beaten Jordan in the first leg, securing a 2-0 away win, and they will be confident of securing another result here and finishing the group unbeaten.
As for Jordan, it seemed unlikely that they would finish in the top two after their opening matches in the group, as they drew against Tajikistan and were beaten by Saudi Arabia in their opening matches, the leaving him in third place.
Two comfortable wins against Pakistan saw them climb back into second place after Tajikistan failed to capitalize on their early advantage and a vital 3-0 victory against Gela ChekiladzeThe team saw Jordan confirm his place among the top two.
Houcine AmmutaThe European team goes into this one with the chance to win the group if they take three points against the current leaders, and with their only defeat in the last seven matches coming against Qatar in the World Cup final. Asia, she will be confident of winning this match. the three points.
Jordan have enjoyed this match in recent years, winning two of the last three meetings and have not lost away to Saudi Arabia since a 2-1 defeat in March 2015.
Saudi Arabia World Cup Qualifiers – Asia Form:
Saudi Arabia form (all competitions):
Jordan World Cup Qualifiers – Asia Form:
Jordan form (all competitions):
Team News
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Firas Al Buraikan scored twice in the 3-0 win over Pakistan last time out and the striker is expected to start as a striker again for Saudi Arabia.
Captain Salem Al-Dawsari has participated in the previous three group matches and is expected to lead Saudi Arabia to elimination for the final match of the second round.
Musa Al-Taamari has five goals in five games in the group stage, which leaves him two behind top scorer Heung-Min Son, and the striker is likely to lead the line here.
Yazeed Aboulaïla has been an ever-present in Jordan’s goal and has kept three clean sheets in all five matches, and Abulaila is expected to start in goal again in this one.
Possible starting lineup in Saudi Arabia:
Al-Owais; Hamed, Lajami, Kadesh; Al-Ghannam, Aljuwayr, Mukhtar, Al-Harbi; Ghareeb, Al-Dawsari; Al-Buraikan
Jordan possible starting lineup:
Aboulaïla; Nasib, Alarab, Al Ajalin, Al-Mardi; Haddad, Al-Rashdan, Al-Rawabdeh; Al-Taamari, Al-Naimat, Olwan
We say: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Jordan
Saudi Arabia may have scored a 2-0 victory in the reverse match between these two, but Jordan was unlucky to get nothing from this match as they dominated with 56% possession and 10 shots more than his opponents.
We expect this one to be much more balanced between the two teams, and we expect this match to end in a draw.
For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.
