Saudi Arabia vs Bahrain Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (AFC) | Group C
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
The pressure is firmly on Saudi Arabia boss Roberto Mancini to get a win here as they look to be fighting it out for the second automatic AFC qualification spot in Group C for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Tuesday October 15th 2024: UK – 7:00pm / US ET – 2:00pm / US PT – 11:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Bet365 & FIFA+ / US – FIFA+
SAUDI ARABIA PREVIEW: PRESSURE ON MANCINI’S MEN TO GET THE JOB DONE
After losing 0-2 to runaway leaders Japan on Thursday, Saudi Arabia now host Bahrain who are always competitive and as they showed against Australia, are more than capable of springing a surprise. Therefore, Roberto Mancini’s side will need to show a high level of cutting edge going forward and take any big chance that falls their way. With the players at Mancini’s disposal, expectations should be high.
BAHRAIN PREVIEW: LAST-GASP LEVELLER COULD YET PROVE PRICELESS
Bahrain are coming off the back of a 2-2 draw with Indonesia on Thursday as they rescued a point with a 90+9-minute equaliser. They will have to improve notably for this match but it will arguably play to their strengths. They are better as the underdog looking to stay compact and organised and then hitting their opponents on the counter. That will be their clear plan here but it is a big ask to frustrate Saudi Arabia for the entire contest.
SAUDI ARABIA TEAM NEWS: KANNO SERVES SECOND MATCH OF THREE-GAME-BAN
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Al-Kassar; Abdulhamid, Al Tambakti, Lajami, Kadesh; Almalki, Alkhaibari, N Al-Dawsari; Al-Shehri, Al-Buraikan, S Al-Dawsari
UNAVAILABLE: Kanno (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
BAHRAIN TEAM NEWS: INJURY COULD RULE OUT WINGER MADAN
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Lutfalla; Emmanuel, Benaddi, Al-Hayam, Al-Khalasi; Al-Humaidan, Haram, Al-Asfoor, Marhoon; Abduljabbar, Al-Aswad
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Madan (Injured)
SAUDI ARABIA VS BAHRAIN PREDICTION
Saudi Arabia are under more pressure, being the home team and beginning this round of Group C fixtures outside the top two. However, breaking Bahrain down can be notoriously difficult as the Socceroos can attest to. With that in mind, we expect this to be a really tense and hard-fought match with little separating the two teams. With pride as well as key points at stake, we can see this being a cagey affair with little in the way of clear-cut opportunities. Consider under 2.5 goals to be scored in this one.
SAUDI ARABIA VS BAHRAIN TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
