Preview: Hong Kong vs. Iraq - prediction, team news, lineups

Iraq will look to increase their lead at the top of World Cup qualification Group C when they take on Hong Kong at the Al Muharraq Stadium in Bahrain this week.

Hong Kong desperately need to pick up some points against Iraq if they are to steal a march on the bigger teams in the group.

Match preview

Following their 4-1 drubbing of Cambodia earlier this week, Iraq are now top of the group, just two points better off than Iran and Bahrain.

In the four games played since Iraq started playing again in May, they have scored 11 goals.

Against Cambodia, Mohanad Ali, Bashar Rasan, Ali Adnan and Safaa Hadi all got on the scoresheet.

A win this week could see Iraq go five points clear at the top of the group.

In contrast, Hong Kong are currently adrift in the depths of the group, with the team just four points better off than last-placed Cambodia.

Yet, the team are having a go of it, supplementing a win and a draw over Cambodia with another draw against Bahrain.

Last time out, Hong Kong were beaten 3-1 by Iran, with Cheng Siu Kwan scoring a consolation goal for the team in the 85th minute.

It remains to be seen whether Hong Kong have what it takes to get the better of Iraq, but a win would certainly come as a major shock to those in the group.

Team News

It is unlikely that Iraq will tinker too much to the side that beat Cambodia this week.

However, Al Husni and Mohammed Dawood Yaseen could feature this week after making cameo appearances against Cambodia.

Hong Kong could make changes ahead of this tie, particularly because the starting 11 was very ineffectual against Iran last time out.

Wong Wai, Chung Wai Keung and Ngan Lok Fung could all start for the team.

Hong Kong possible starting lineup:

Fai; Yang, Wa, Chan, Man; Wai, Orr, Him, Fung; Keung, Kwan

Iraq possible starting lineup:

Talib; Khalaf, Adnan, Mhawi; Al-Saedi, Hadi, Attwan, Rasan; Gubari, Yaseen, Hussen

We say: Hong Kong 0-2 Iraq

This is Iraq's game to lose, and we do not expect Hong Kong to offer much in terms of going forward. We are going for a 2-0 success for Iraq.