Iraq vs Vietnam Prediction: Vietnam to bow out with defeat to Lions

The final day of Group D sees table-topping Iraq host bottom of the group Vietnam at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, with qualification to the next round already confirmed for the Lions of Mesopotamia.

The one-time winners of the Asian Cup confirmed progression into the knockout stages with a stunning 2-1 victory over top seeds Japan, while the Golden Star Warriors cannot finish higher than fourth place in the group after their defeat to fellow minnows Indonesia last time out.

Team News

After netting a brace in the victory over Japan, striker Aymen Hussein is likely to lead the line once more, while midfielder Ibrahim Bayesh will be hoping for an appearance as the 23-year-old is one cap away from 50 for his country.

There could also be a milestone for Vietnam striker Nguyen Van Toan who could register his 60th appearance for the Golden Star Warriors, but there will be no further action for midfielder Le Pham Thanh Long after he was shown his marching orders against Indonesia.

Match Odds

The Lions of Mesopotamia are favourites at 4/6 whereas Vietnam are an outside bet at 18/5 to claim victory.

The draw provides odds of 5/2, while the match to feature over 2.5 goals can be backed at EVS.

Iraq to win to nil @ 13/8

Jesus Casas will be thrilled with how his side have performed in Qatar this tournament, with the side ranked 63rd in the world on the cusp of topping Group D with maximum points.

They have only ever topped a group in this tournament once in their history, in 2007 when they went on to lift the trophy in Jakarta.

This run saw Iraq defeat Wednesday’s opponents in the quarter finals 2-0, and a similar result could be expected in this meeting with Iraq winning four of their five meetings with Vietnam, drawing the other.

Philippe Troussier’s Vietnam side almost produced the shock of the tournament when they led Japan 2-1 in the first half, eventually succumbing 4-2 to Hajime Moriyasu’s side.

Vietnam have won just one of their last eight games including a 1-0 defeat to Iraq in November, where a 97th minute winner from Mohanad Ali broke the hearts of the Vietnamese fans.

Another victory for the Lions of Mesopotamia is therefore expected and, as the Golden Star Warriors have scored just five goals in their last eight games, another defeat to nil could again be on the cards.

Aymen Hussein to score anytime @ 7/5 

If there is one player that can break through the Vietnam backline then in-form Aymen Hussein is that man, with the 27-year old’s three goals in this competition putting him joint top scorer at the tournament alongside Qatar’s Akram Afif.

Hussein has netted 20 goals for his national side, leaving him joint ninth in the all-time standings, and could progress further up the charts by grabbing another on Wednesday.