Australia vs Iraq: Match Preview and Prediction

By

 Stefan Altenbach

Australia vs Iraq
Asia – 2018 World Cup Qualifier
Date: Thursday; 1-September-2016
Kick-off: 11:30 UK
Venue: nib Stadium (Perth).

Australia kick-off the third round of their World Cup Qualifiers with a home games against Iraq at the nib Stadium in Perth on Thursday evening.

The Socceroos finished top of their group in the second round after winning 7 of the 8 matches, while they lost an away game at Jordan. They will be battling this out from in a group which includes Japan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and UAE alongside Iraq.

Iraq qualified to the third round as one of the best second placed teams from the second round of the qualifiers. Iraq were unbeaten during the phase as they won and draws 3 each from their six matches. The group was won by Thailand, whom they will meet once again during the third phase fixtures.

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.