- Date and Time: Tuesday, 15 October, 20:00 GMT+1
- Venue: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia vs Bahrain Preview
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is in third place in Group D of the AFC qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup. They have four points after three matches, having won once, lost once, and drawn once. This record matches Bahrain’s, with the separating factor being the goal difference.
Saudi Arabia hope to make it three consecutive World Cups after being in the 2018 and 2022 editions. They will need to pick up three points against Bahrain after faltering last time out on Friday when they lost 2-0 to Japan.
Roberto Mancini and his men will play for a home win, which will give them the best chance of finishing in the top two positions in Group C and earning them automatic qualification to the 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup.
Bahrain
With a record similar to their Tuesday opponents, Bahrain will continue their gritty approach to the qualification matches in the hope of grinding out a draw or a win to keep their qualification chances alive.
Their 5-0 loss to Japan in the second round of Group C’s fixtures saw them fall behind on goal difference, with Australia and Saudi Arabia level on points. They showed their scrappy side in the 1-0 win against Australia when they played in an ultra-defensive formation that saw them cede 70% of ball possession to Australia but kept the shots on target at a minimum.
Bahrain won 1-0 against Saudi Arabia the last time they faced each other, and Dragan Talajic, who has intimate knowledge of Saudi Arabian football, will prepare his charges for a similar feat.
Saudi Arabia will be looking to get back to winning ways at home against Bahrain after losing 2-0 away to Japan
Saudi Arabia vs Bahrain Possible Line Ups and Prediction
Due to an injury scare, Saudi Arabia’s Abdulelah Al Malki was taken off in the 82nd minute last week, and he may miss the contest against Bahrain. The same applies to Bahrain’s Ali Madan, who was substituted in the 64th minute last time out. There are no other expected absences due to injuries or suspension.
Saudi Arabia: Al-Kassar; Lajami, Al Tambakti, Kadesh,Abdulhamid; Aljuwayr, Alkhaibari, N Al-Dawsari; Al-Shehri, Al-Buraikan, S Al-Dawsari
Bahrain: Lutfalla; Al-Khalasi, Benaddi, Al-Hayam, Emmanuel; Al-Humaidan, Haram, Al-Asfoor, Marhoon; Abduljabbar, Al-Aswad
The hosts will need to dictate the match’s tempo. Bahrain will endeavor to employ a defensive approach meant to minimize their exposure and wait for Saudi Arabia to make mistakes and capitalize on them. Salem Al Dawsari and Firas Al Buraikan will be the focal points of the home attack and have the best chance of securing a Saudi Arabian win.
