Yemen lock horns with Saudi Arabia at the Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Stadium in a Gulf Cup Group Stage fixture on Wednesday, 25 December. Read our latest football predictions for the contest below.
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Yemen vs Saudi Arabia prediction: Yemen to struggle?
Key Stats
- Yemen have failed to win 23 of their last 25 games in all competitions.
- Saudi Arabia have won 12 of their last 13 meetings with Yemen.
- Yemen have failed to score in four of their last six fixtures.
- Yemen were beaten 1-0 in each of their last two assignments.
Correct score prediction: Yemen 0-1 Saudi Arabia
Yemen lost their Group Stage opener against Iraq by a single goal (0-1) and they could be edged out again by a Saudi Arabian side that have more reliable goal-getters in their ranks.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Saudi Arabia favoured
- HOME: TBC
- DRAW: TBC
- AWAY: TBC
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Yemen slipped to a 1-0 loss against Iraq on matchday one in the Gulf Cup and they have now failed to win 23 of their last 25 games in all competitions.
Saudi Arabia lost a five-goal thriller to Bahrain in their first group match, though they showed the kind of incision in the final third that should stand them in good stead against Yemen. Make sure to view our free football tips page for more international predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Saudi Arabia have been dominant
Saudi Arabia have won 12 and drawn one of their last 13 meetings with Yemen and they beat them 2-0 in last year’s Gulf Cup group stage.
Gulf Cup 06/01/23
Yemen
Saudi Arabia
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 05/06/21
Saudi Arabia
Yemen
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 10/09/19
Yemen
Saudi Arabia
International Match 16/11/18
Saudi Arabia
Yemen
Gulf Cup 19/11/14
Saudi Arabia
Yemen
Yemen preview: Yemen could be unchanged
Yemen were set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in their narrow loss to Iraq and they should adopt a similar system against Saudi Arabia. Yemen captain Abdulwasea Al-Matari is the leading scorer in the current Yemeni squad with 11 goals.
Predicted lineup: Aman (GK), Al Wasmani, Al Zubaidi, Ali Rimi, Al Hubaishi, Al Golan, Anbar, Mohammedoh, Al Najjar, Al Matari, Al Dahi
Gulf Cup 28/12/24
W
Bahrain
1
Yemen
2
Gulf Cup 25/12/24
L
Saudi Arabia
3
Yemen
2
Gulf Cup 22/12/24
L
Iraq
1
Yemen
0
International Match 09/12/24
D
Kuwait
1
Yemen
1
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 11/06/24
D
Nepal
2
Yemen
2
Saudi Arabia preview: Al-Dawsari to return to the XI?
Saudi Arabia used a 4-1-4-1 formation against Bahrain and they could play with a more expansive formation against Yemen. The Green Falcons will look to Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari for goals on matchday two.
Predicted lineup: Al Aqidi (GK), Al Ghannam, Lajami, Al Buhalyhi, Al Shahrani, Al Malki, Hawsawi, Kanno, Al Juwayr, Al Hamddan, Radif
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 25/03/25
D
Japan
0
Saudi Arabia
0
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 20/03/25
W
China PR
0
Saudi Arabia
1
Gulf Cup 31/12/24
L
Oman
2
Saudi Arabia
1
Gulf Cup 28/12/24
W
Iraq
1
Saudi Arabia
3
Gulf Cup 25/12/24
W
Yemen
2
Saudi Arabia
3
Player to watch – Saleh Al-Shehri
Saleh Al-Shehri scored a penalty off the bench for Saudi Arabia in their loss to Bahrain on matchday one in the Gulf Cup and the prolific attacker could come back into the starting XI following his impact.
Al-Shehri is one to track closely
Al-Shehri has hit 16 goals in 39 appearances for Saudi Arabia and the 31-year-old is sharp enough in and around the penalty area to take a chance if one drops his way against Yemen.