Saudi Arabia and China are set to clash in the Asian World Cup Qualifying third round, with both teams striving for a top-two finish to secure World Cup progression. Saudi Arabia enters the match seeking to overcome a recent winless streak, while China looks to bounce back from prior losses. Key players missing from both sides may influence the outcome of this important fixture.

Saudi Arabia and China are poised to face off at the King Saud University Stadium on Thursday as they compete in the Asian World Cup Qualifying third round. Both teams are level on points, separated solely by goal difference, and they trail second-placed Australia by just one point with four matches remaining in the group stage.

The Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia seek to break their winless streak in World Cup qualifying while aiming to secure their place in the tournament for a third consecutive cycle. After claiming 13 points in the second round and finishing second in their group, they now find themselves fourth in Group C. In their most recent outing, Saudi Arabia suffered a Gulf Cup semi-final defeat to Oman and will strive for a home victory against China.

On the other hand, China aims to qualify for their second World Cup and first since 2002. They secured eight points in the second round, finishing second in their group. However, their performance in the third round has been disappointing, with three consecutive losses before bouncing back with wins over Indonesia and Bahrain. Despite their recent setbacks, China remains competitive, trailing just one point behind Australia.

In terms of team news, Saudi Arabia will be missing several key players, including noteworthy absentees Mohammed Al-Owais and Ali Al-Bulaihi due to their participation in the Gulf Cup. Firas Al-Buraikan is likely to lead the attack, supported by threat Salem Al-Dawsari on the wings. China’s lineup misses top forward Wu Lei, and Lin Liangming may again lead their attack after scoring in their last match against Japan.

With both teams looking to enhance their positions in the standings, the expectation is set for Saudi Arabia to capitalize on their home advantage. A predicted outcome suggests that Saudi Arabia will triumph over China 2-0, bolstering their certainty of progressing in the World Cup qualifying rounds.

In conclusion, the upcoming match between Saudi Arabia and China is crucial as both teams aim to secure a place in the World Cup. Saudi Arabia boasts home advantage and a strong squad despite missing key players, while China seeks to recover from recent defeats. The match is anticipated to be competitive, with Saudi Arabia expected to emerge victorious based on their form and the performance metrics at play.

Original Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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