Australia vs Iraq
Asia – 2018 World Cup Qualifier
Date: Thursday; 1-September-2016
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT +7
Venue: nib Stadium (Perth)
Asia – 2018 World Cup Qualifier
Date: Thursday; 1-September-2016
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT +7
Venue: nib Stadium (Perth)
Australia and Iraq face off in their first CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier on Thursday.
The two sides met during the 2014 qualifiers when Australia booked a spot in the World Cup while Iraq finished dead last in its group with only five points from eight games. In that round, Iraq lost both games to Australia by one goal.
Iraq has not qualified for a World Cup since 1986 when it finished 23rd and bottomed out in the group stage with a win.
Australia has qualified for four World Cups in its history but has only managed to get out of the group stage on one
The two sides met during the 2014 qualifiers when Australia booked a spot in the World Cup while Iraq finished dead last in its group with only five points from eight games. In that round, Iraq lost both games to Australia by one goal.
Iraq has not qualified for a World Cup since 1986 when it finished 23rd and bottomed out in the group stage with a win.
Australia has qualified for four World Cups in its history but has only managed to get out of the group stage on one
occasion. The team had its worst outing in the tournament two summers ago when it finished fourth in a group that included the Netherlands, Chile and Spain. The team lost every single game.
The teams have met nine times in their history with Australia enjoying a decisive advantage of six wins, two defeats and only one draw between the two sides. Australia has won the last three affairs dating back to 2008.
Australia vs Iraq: Head-to-Head
The two sides were grouped together during the same stage for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Australia won both legs, 1-0 at home and 2-1 at Iraq during that occasion.
Australia hold a 100% win record at home in the last three meetings against Iraq.
In the 7 fixtures played between these two, Australia won 5 as against Iraq’s 2 wins.
Australia vs Iraq: Prediction
Australia hold a massive record at home in the World Cup qualifiers since they entered the Asian zone in 2008. They have won in 15 of the 18 fixtures, drawing 2 and losing 1. They are also on a 15 match unbeaten run. Also they kept clean sheets in the five of the last six home games, scoring 25 goals.
While Iraq mostly struggle in the third round of qualifiers and they were bottom of the group last time with 1 win from 8 games. Their away record is also disappointing as they failed to win in 6 of the last 7 trips.
Australia must win this without much trouble, however the odds of 1.28 are less attractive.
Also four of the past five meetings between the two sides have witnessed under 2.5 goals. This could be a good bet for this match considering Iraq will come with a defensive set-up to steal a point from the stronger opponents.
The teams have met nine times in their history with Australia enjoying a decisive advantage of six wins, two defeats and only one draw between the two sides. Australia has won the last three affairs dating back to 2008.
Australia vs Iraq: Head-to-Head
The two sides were grouped together during the same stage for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Australia won both legs, 1-0 at home and 2-1 at Iraq during that occasion.
Australia hold a 100% win record at home in the last three meetings against Iraq.
In the 7 fixtures played between these two, Australia won 5 as against Iraq’s 2 wins.
Australia vs Iraq: Prediction
Australia hold a massive record at home in the World Cup qualifiers since they entered the Asian zone in 2008. They have won in 15 of the 18 fixtures, drawing 2 and losing 1. They are also on a 15 match unbeaten run. Also they kept clean sheets in the five of the last six home games, scoring 25 goals.
While Iraq mostly struggle in the third round of qualifiers and they were bottom of the group last time with 1 win from 8 games. Their away record is also disappointing as they failed to win in 6 of the last 7 trips.
Australia must win this without much trouble, however the odds of 1.28 are less attractive.
Also four of the past five meetings between the two sides have witnessed under 2.5 goals. This could be a good bet for this match considering Iraq will come with a defensive set-up to steal a point from the stronger opponents.
