Oman vs Australia – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction | WCQ 2022

Martin Boyle-Australia

Australia will continue their quest for a place in the 2022 FIFA World Cup when they travel to Muscat on Wednesday to face Oman in the eighth round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers

Venue: Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex (Muscat) 

Key Statistics

Oman are winless in their last three WCQ games (D1, L2).

The hosts have kept only one clean sheet from their last eleven games in all competitions.

Oman have scored six goals in their WCQ games. Only Vietnam have scored fewer goals in Group B.

Australia have scored 13 goals in seven WCQ games, more than any other side in their group.

They have lost just one of their last 15 competitive games (W12, D2).

Head to head

In the last ten meetings between both sides, Australia have won six times while Oman have just one win (D3).

Latest performances in all competitions

Oman: L-L-W-L-D

Australia: W-D-D-L-W

Oman 

Oman’s chance of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in November took a big hit last week when they were defeated 1-0 by Saudi Arabia.

Despite their best efforts, the hosts were undone by a 48th-minute goal by Firas Al Brikan. 

The result means that Branko Ivanković’s side come into this tie seven points behind Australia who are occupying the third position in the group standings. Their chances of overcoming that seven-point deficit look slim given that they must win their remaining qualifier games and hope that Australia drop points.

They will have to begin with winning the Socceroos on this occasion. But given that they have failed to win any of their last five meetings with Australia, they will have to be in their best shape to stand any chance of winning this time. 

Another source of worry for the hosts is that they have failed to win all but one of their last seven games across all competitions – losing four and drawing two in that period. 

Possible Oman starting line-up

Ibrahim Al Mukhaini; Mataz Saleh, Juma Al Habsi, Ahmed Al Khamisi, Amjad Al Harthi; Arshad Al-Alawi, Harib Al Saadi, Salaah Al Yahyaei, Abdullah Fawaz; Al-Mandher Al Alawi, Khalid Al Hajri.

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Australia

Australia took one step closer to a spot in the November World Cup when they defeated Vietnam 4-0 last time out. 

In a one-sided affair at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, the Socceroos made light work of their visitors, taking home all three points courtesy of goals from Jamie Maclaren, Tom Rogic, Craig Goodwin and Riley McGree.

The win ended a three-game winless run for Graham Arnold’s men.

They come into this tie sitting in third place, one point behind Japan in second, and five behind Group B leaders Saudi Arabia.

A win in this game will keep their hope of finishing within the Automatic spot alive while a loss will mean that they might have to settle for a playoff spot, especially if results from other places go their way.

With 12 wins from their last 15 games, the visitors will be confident of taking maximum points from this tie. 

Possible Australia starting line-ups

Mat Ryan; Fran Karačić, Milos Degenek, Trent Sainsbury, Rhyan Grant; Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine; Mathew Leckie, Tom Rogic, Martin Boyle; Jamie Maclaren.

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Prediction

Oman 0-3 Australia