Aiming to strengthen their chances of an unlikely top-two finish in Group C, Bahrain are set to host Australia for an AFC World Cup qualification match on Tuesday.
The two sides are separated by just one point in the group, with the hosts in fifth with five points while the visitors are second in the group with six points.
Match preview
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Bahrain entered the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the goal of securing their first-ever appearance at the tournament, having never qualified previously, though they have come within one game of doing so on two occasions.
They comfortably progressed from their second-round group in second place of Group H, winning three, drawing two and losing just one of their six fixtures to secure 11 points, six ahead of third-placed Yemen.
A brilliant 1-0 victory over Australia on matchday one would have given Dragan Talajic's side huge confidence moving forward, but they suffered a humbling 5-0 loss to Japan in the following outing.
Bahrain did rebound with back-to-back draws with Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, leaving them with a great chance of moving into second place when they took on China last time out, but a disappointing 1-0 loss, courtesy of a 91st-minute winner, has left them in fifth place.
However, with China, Saudi Arabia and Australia sitting just one point above them, a victory for Bahrain on Tuesday could see them move into the top two, increasing their chance of an unlikely World Cup qualification.
The visitors will be coming into this game hoping a big victory could help kickstart their qualification campaign, with the Socceroos struggling after five third-round matches.
Despite being strong favourites to secure a top-two finish alongside Japan, especially given their consistent presence in the last five World Cup tournaments, Australia are currently level on just six points with China and Saudi Arabia.
They disappointingly lost 1-0 to Tuesday's hosts on matchday one, followed by one win and three draws in the four matches since, including scoring only four goals in that time.
Former manager Graham Arnold, who had been in charge since 2018, announced he would be stepping down after picking up just one point from their first two outings, with Tony Popovic since taking charge.
While the new boss has avoided defeat, he will be hoping for a significantly improved performance against Bahrain on Tuesday, particularly in the attacking third, as his side look to strengthen their World Cup qualification hopes.
Team News
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The hosts will be without the services of Waleed Al-Hayam for this match after the defender was sent off in the 1-0 loss to China last time out, meaning Sayed Baqer could start in his place here.
Mohamed Jasim Marhoon is the only Bahrain player to score so far in Group C, with two goals, while Bahrain's other goal came from an own goal by Harry Souttar, and the midfielder is expected to start in the upcoming match.
As for the visitors, despite being the dominant side in the 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia, the Socceroos were unable to find the net, something they will be hoping Mitchell Duke could address with a goal here.
Elsewhere, a similar defence featuring Jason Geria, Souttar, and Cameron Burgess is likely to start, after successfully limiting Saudi Arabia to just three shots in their previous match.
Bahrain possible starting lineup:
Lutfalla; Benaddi, Baqer, Saeed; Emmanuel, Al-Asfoor, Haram, Marhoon; Madan, Adbuljabbar, Al-Aswad
Australia possible starting lineup:
Gauci; Geria, Souttar, Burgess; Miller, O'Neill, Irvine, Bos; Hrustic, McGree; Duke
We say: Bahrain 0-2 Australia
The hosts may have secured a fantastic victory in the reverse fixture, but the visitors are the stronger side heading into this match, and we believe Australia will win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
Iran
Kyrgyzstan
North Korea
Qatar
UAE
Uzbekistan
Iraq
Jordan
Kuwait
Oman
Palestine
South Korea
Australia
Bahrain
China
Indonesia
Japan
Saudi Arabia
