Iran vs Qatar Prediction: End of the road beckons for hosts

We are down to the last four in the Asian Cup and hosts Qatar look to have a difficult task to see off Iran following their won on penalties over Uzbekistan in the quater-finals.

The holders will be full of hope but face an Iranian team who have not tasted defeat in their last 18 matches and should be stronger than they were for their last-eight win over Japan with Porto striker Mehdi Taremi returning from suspension.

Team News

Iran will be able to welcome back Mehdi Taremi after the striker was suspended for the win over Japan following his dismissal against Syria in the last-16. However, Sadegh Moharrami and Majid Hossieni are struggling.

Holders Qatar have reported no fresh injury concerns and could go with the team who earned a shootout victory over Uzbekistan in the last eight.

Match Odds

Iran are clear favourites to stop the hosts in their tracks and are 7/10 to come out on top in 90 minutes. Qatar can be backed at 18/5 while the draw will pay out at 9/4 if the match goes into extra time.

A tight encounter is anticipated with under 2.5 goals just 4/7 with more than that number a 5/4 chance, while both teams to score is available at 11/10.

Iranian players dominate the first-goalscorer market with Sardar Azmoun rated a 9/2 shot and his team-mates Karim Ansarifad, Shahriyar Moghonlou and Mahedi Taremi all 5/1 to notch the opener.

Iran to win in 90 minutes @ 7/10 

Asian Cup hosts and holders Qatar scraped their way past Uzbekistan in a scruffy shootout to reach a semi-final against Iran, but this could be where their luck runs out as they could hardly face a tougher semi-final.

Iran have had their share of struggles too as they also needed penalties to get past Syria in the last 16 and then an injury-time spot-kick to beat Japan, the only Asian team above the Iranians' Fifa ranking of 21st.

Iran are unbeaten in their last ten matches against Qatar, but of more relevance is that they have not lost a match since falling 1-0 to the United States at the last World Cup 18 games ago.

Fifteen of those have been wins under Amir Ghalenoei, who replaced Carlos Queiroz after that tournament, and they look the stronger outfit who can edge this clash.

#PickYourPunt - Under 2.5 goals, Iran-Iran half/full time & Mehdi Taremi to score at any time @ 9/1 

There are three elements that could provide a nice #PickYourPunt return of 9/1.

Iran have conceded more than one goal in just one of their last 20 matches since they were beaten 6-2 by England at the World Cup, while Qatar’s defending has been their strength with five clean sheets in their last eight matches, so under 2.5 goals appeals.

Iran left it late to beat Japan but that was the only match in their last six when Ghalenoei’s side have not been winning at half-time, so they are an attractive position to win at the end of each half on the half-time/full-time market.

And finally, Iran striker Mehdi Taremi should be champing at the bit after being suspended for the win over Japan.

The Porto forward should get the nod and will be ready to go having scored in the game he didn’t complete against Syria and both goals in the 2-1 group success over the United Arab Emirates, so take him to find the net again on Wednesday.