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Neither UAE or Iraq have started World Cup qualifying in great shape. Both have two points from a potential nine. Will either team grab a first win here? Find out with our UAE vs Iraq preview here along with the predictions and free tips we mention along the way.
UAE vs Iraq: Our best betting tips
Check out our match predictions for the big game.
- Match Result: UAE @ 21/20
- Total goals: Under 2.5 @ 3/5
- Anytime scorer: Ali Ahmed Mabkhout @ odds to be released nearer KO
All odds are from 888Sport and are subject to change. If you want to place these bets, we recommend you check the odds at the bookmaker platform before wagering.
Contents
UAE to bounce back after defeat
UAE lost their last game, which was a 1-0 defeat to Iran, but their general form is really strong. Prior to that defeat last week they’d been on a nine game unbeaten streak that included six wins. Iraq’s form could have read well a couple of months ago; they’d gone unbeaten in 90 minutes between August 2019 and June 2021 but that’s in danger of being forgotten about after four games without a win. That four game spell has seen them lose twice – both times to Iran. Home advantage and slightly better form swings the betting in favour of the UAE.
Goals will be few and far between
Our next tip is that this game will see very few goals. UAE have seen each of their last three games fall short of the 2.5 mark whilst Iraq have only gone over 2.5 in one of their last five matches. The two nations have locked horns several times over the years with the latest match – in January – serving up a 0-0 draw. Each of the last six meetings have been under the 2.5 cut off.
Goal machine Mabkhout to notch
Our final prediction sees us back UAE striker Ali Ahmed Mabkhout to net anytime. The 31-year-old is an absolute goal machine. He’s scored double figures in his last seven seasons at club level – including scoring 25 last season – and arrives in this international break in good form too; he has netted in his last three games for Al Jazira. It means he’ll be riding a wave of confidence and, on top of that, his prospects of netting are boosted by the fact he takes spot kicks.
The best odds for UAE vs Iraq
UAE vs Iraq: Team Overview
UAE
UAE will be disappointed with how they’ve started their qualification campaign after losing one and drawing two of their opening three. They’ll be looking at their longer term form and thinking they’re capable of a run of wins though. With players like Ali Ahmed Mabkhout, Khalfan Mubarak and Fabio Lima in attacking positions it’s feasible that run starts here.
Iraq
Iraq’s story isn’t too different from that of their hosts. They’ve started the qualifying badly but it wasn’t so long ago they were stringing together a run of wins. They don’t have the same attacking quality as UAE but if Ali Adnan can keep Mubarak under control then Iraq’s hope of getting something from this match will increase exponentially.
The final word on UAE vs Iraq
- Who are favourites to win? UAE
- When is KO? 17:45 GMT
- Where is the game being played? Zabeel Stadium
