World Cup Qualifying - Asia | Third Round

Oct 15, 2024 at 7pm UK

King Abdullah Sports City

Saudi Arabia vs Bahrain

Match preview

Saudi Arabia has qualified for the last two FIFA World Cups, in 2018 and 2022. They're aiming to make it three in a row in 2026.

They finished second to Jordan in their second-round group, albeit on goal difference, and have struggled in their opening three matches in the third round.

Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Indonesia to kickstart their third-round campaign, followed by a narrow 2-1 victory against China thanks to a 90th-minute winner from Hassan Kadesh, who scored both in that game.

Roberto Mancini, who's been in charge since August 2023, saw Saudi Arabia's unbeaten start to the group end with a 2-0 loss to Japan last week. But the Italian will take encouragement from a promising performance in which his side controlled large portions of the game.

With his team currently on par with Australia and Bahrain, Mancini is hoping for a strong win as he aims to guide his team to a top-two finish in the group, which would guarantee them a spot in the upcoming World Cup.

Bahrain might not be the most glamorous country in terms of footballing achievements, but they've proved themselves as a formidable force in the opening three games of the third round.

They beat Australia 1-0 in the opening match but then lost 5-0 to Japan. However, Bahrain quickly bounced back with a 2-2 draw against Indonesia.

Dragan Talajic, who has spent a lot of his career managing in Saudi Arabia, will be hoping to get another big win for his team when they play the Arabian Falcons on Tuesday. Bahrain beat them 1-0 in their last game.

Recent Performance

Saudi Arabia World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:DWLDWL

Bahrain World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:WDDWLD

Injuries and suspensions

Saudi Arabia

23 Mohamed Kanno

19 Fahad Al-Muwallad

Bahrain

No sidelined players

Possible starting lineups

Saudi Arabia possible starting lineup:

Al-Kassar; Abdulhamid, Al Tambakti, Lajami, Kadesh; Aljuwayr, Alkhaibari, N Al-Dawsari; Al-Shehri, Al-Buraikan, S Al-Dawsari

Bahrain possible starting lineup:

Lutfalla; Emmanuel, Benaddi, Al-Hayam, Al-Khalasi; Al-Humaidan, Haram, Al-Asfoor, Marhoon; Abduljabbar, Al-Aswad