Qatar and on Iran go head-to-head at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in an AFC World Cup qualification fixture on Thursday, 5 June. Read our World Cup betting tips for the clash below.
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Qatar vs Iran prediction: Back Iran to avoid defeat in Doha
Key Stats
- Iran have collected 20 of the 24 points available to them since the start of their World Cup qualification campaign.
- Qatar have lost 50% of their first eight World Cup qualification tussles.
- Iran hammered Qatar won 4-1 when the teams last met in October 2024.
- Striker Mehdi Taremi has scored 54 goals in 92 appearances for Iran.
Correct score prediction: Qatar 1-2 Iran
Table-topping Iran have won six out of eight World Cup qualification fixtures, netting an average of 2.00 goals per game along the way and they can maintain their excellent form at Qatar’s expense.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Iran offer better value
- HOME: 11/8 (2.38) – 42.1%
- DRAW: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.3%
- AWAY: 2/1 (3.00) – 33.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Qatar have already lost half of their eight qualification fixtures, so they offer little appeal as 11/8 favourites to beat Group A leaders Iran in Doha.
Iran are unbeaten and sitting pretty at the summit of their World Cup qualification group and they are an attractive prospect at 2/1 to triumph against Qatar. View our free football tips page for more predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Iran have been on top
Iran cruised to a 4-1 win over Qatar in October and that was their seventh win in eight previous iterations of this fixture.
AFC Asian Cup 07/02/24
Iran
Qatar
International Match 17/10/23
Qatar
Iran
International Match 31/12/18
Qatar
Iran
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 23/03/17
Qatar
Iran
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 01/09/16
Iran
Qatar
Qatar preview: Lucas Mendes is suspended
Qatar limped to a 3-1 defeat against Kyrgyz Republic in their last World Cup qualification fixture, though they are still decently placed in fourth spot in Group A. Defender Lucas Mendes was sent off in that loss and will sit Thursday's game out through suspension.
Predicted lineup: Barsham (GK), Suhail, Miguel, Khoukhi, Al-Rawi, Hatem, Fathy, El Amin, Junior, Afif, Ali
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 25/03/25
L
Kyrgyzstan
3
Qatar
1
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 20/03/25
W
North Korea
1
Qatar
5
Gulf Cup 27/12/24
D
Kuwait
1
Qatar
1
Gulf Cup 24/12/24
L
Oman
2
Qatar
1
Gulf Cup 21/12/24
D
United Arab Emirates
1
Qatar
1
Iran preview: Five uncapped players on roster
Iran dropped two points at home to Uzbekistan in their last qualification match in March (2-2), so they will be determined to return to winning ways on Thursday. Five uncapped players were included in Iran's training camp squad, so new faces could feature against Qatar.
Predicted lineup: Beiranvand (GK), Hardani, Pouraliganji, Khalilzadeh, Mohammadi, Ghoddos, Ezatolahi, Jahanbakhsh, Taremi, Ghayedi, Moghanlou
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 25/03/25
D
Uzbekistan
2
Iran
2
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 20/03/25
W
United Arab Emirates
0
Iran
2
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 19/11/24
W
Kyrgyzstan
2
Iran
3
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 14/11/24
W
North Korea
2
Iran
3
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 15/10/24
W
Qatar
1
Iran
4
Player to watch – Mehdi Taremi
With Sardar Azmoun unavailable, Mehdi Taremi will shoulder more goal-scoring responsibility for Iran on Thursday, though the veteran striker is a confident finisher and has enough quality to cope with the extra workload.
Taremi knows how to finish
Taremi, who turns 33 in July, has scored four World Cup qualification goals in Group A and 54 times in total for his country. Indeed, Taremi sits third in Iran’s list all-time list of top goalscorers and the frontman could add to his impressive haul at international level on Thursday.