Qatar
Qatar opened with a battling late draw against Switzerland but were then taken apart by Switzerland, conceding six and finishing with nine men after two straight reds, which leaves their goal difference at minus six and their margin for error gone. Manager Julen Lopetegui will look to tighten a defence that was overrun, and much of the creative load again falls on Akram Afif up front. In my opinion the suspensions from those red cards and the confidence drain from such a result make it hard to see Qatar suddenly clicking into gear here. They effectively need to win by a distance to overtake the loser of the other group game, which is a tall order against a side built to grind out results.
Predicted Lineup: Barsham; Pedro Miguel, Khoukhi, Hassan, Al-Brake; Laye, Gaber; Afif, Boudiaf, Edmilson Jr; Abdurisag.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bosnia-Herzegovina took a creditable point off the co-hosts before running into a clinical Switzerland side, and they know a win is their only route through the Group Stage. Edin Dzeko remains the focal point at 40, though his shoulder problem leaves his starting role in some doubt, while Haris Tabakovic is still managing a metatarsal issue and Sead Kolasinac has been carrying a knock since the opener. My read on this is that Sergej Barbarez has the more streetwise group in this match, with a physical midfield potentially giving them the edge. With qualification on the line and the simultaneous result in the other game shaping their urgency, I expect them to commit men forward and take the initiative.
Predicted Lineup: Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac; Alajbegovic, Tahirovic, Sunjic, Memic; Demirovic, Dzeko.
