Uzbekistan vs Qatar Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Uzbekistan’s prospects of making it to Russia next summer took a blow on Thursday as they lost 1-0 away to Syria, following on from a friendly draw with Georgia in January and a defeat against South Korea back in November.

Over the longer term the hosts’ form actually looks pretty good, with six wins, one draw, and three defeats in their last ten outings in all competitions. This leaves them 3rd in their World Cup qualifying group, just one point behind South Korea in 2nd and five points adrift of group leaders Iran. Below them sit Syria with a one point deficit.

Uzbekistan’s success is largely thanks to a very sturdy back line. They have kept a clean sheet in five of their last nine matches, and at home they are even better. There they have won ten, drawn one, and lost one of their last 12, keeping eight clean sheets in the process.

This won’t come as good news to Qatar, who failed to score last week when they hosted group leaders Iran. They lost that match 1-0 to leave themselves bottom of the group with just four points from their six games so far.

That defeat for Qatar made it four games without a win, and they have lost five of their last nine in all competitions. Their two wins during this period both came on home soil, and away from home they have a poor record of four defeats in their last six matches. Half of these have resulted in a clean sheet for the opposition, so they won’t be relishing coming up against such a well drilled Uzbekistan back line.

A home win looks by far the best option here. Uzbekistan have been impressive in front of their home crowd and they’re facing a Qatar side struggling for away form. Odds of 4/5 for an Uzbekistan Win look very good value for money, so I’m backing that alongside a 2-0 correct score predictions at 6/1.