Iraq and South Korea will square off in a crunch clash in AFC World Cup qualifying at the Basra International Stadium on Thursday night.
The two nations are currently separated by two places and four points in what is a fiercely competitive scrap for qualification from Group B.
Iraq’s hopes of punching their ticket to next year’s World Cup suffered a blow when losing 2-1 to Palestine last time out.
Consequently, Graham Arnold’s side can ill-afford another stumble when they come up against South Korea this midweek.
The Taeguk Warriors remain top of Group B despite drawing each of their last three matches, the most recent of which saw them share the spoils with Jordan.
However, that stalemate does mean that Hong Myung-bo's side have yet to taste defeat in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
How the bookies view it: Iraq up against it
Iraq are as big as 5/2 on Boylesports to inflict a first defeat of the campaign on South Korea on Thursday night.
A fourth successive draw involving South Korea is trading at 2/1 on Boylesports, while the visitors are 11/10 favourites for the win with the same firm.
Head to head: South Korea tend to conquer
South Korea hold the upper hand in this fixture, triumphing in six of the overall nine meetings between the pair. One of those victories came in the reverse fixture of this current qualifying campaign, with South Korea claiming a 3-2 win.
Players to watch: Son to strike?
Having already scored 10 times during the current World Cup qualifying campaign, Heung-min Son stands out for an anytime strike here at 9/5 with UniBet.
With eight goals to his name during qualification, Iraq will look to Aymen Hussein for inspiration on Thursday night. The 29-year-old forward is a 13/5 (Bet 365) anytime goalscorer option.
Predicted line-ups
Iraq boss Arnold will have to make at least one change to his starting XI on Thursday night, as defender Rebin Sulaka will have to serve a suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
South Korea have no new injury or suspension concerns as they seek to sew up top spot in Group B.
Iraq: Hassan; Saadoon, Natiq, Tahseen, Doski; Iqbal, Attwan, Bayesh, Hadi; Ali, Hussein
South Korea: H Jo; Seol, Y Jo, Kwon, T Lee; J Lee, Park; Hwang, J Lee, Son; Oh
Anything else catch the eye?
Given that both teams have scored in each of South Korea’s last five qualifying matches, the 10/11 (Boylesports) about a repeat on Thursday night holds plenty of appeal.
One of those five matches was against Iraq back in October of last year, with both teams contributing to the scoring in a five goal thriller.
That also makes the 6/5 on offer with Boylesports for this fixture to feature Over 2.5 goals an appetising angle of attack to consider in Basra.
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