Group E of the AFC World Cup qualifiers commences with an encounter between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan at the Asgabat Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
The hosts had to settle for a share of the spoils in their most recent involvement, while the visitors claimed a hard-fought victory last time out.
Match preview
Uzbekistan saw off the threat of China thanks to a 2-1 victory when they locked horns in a friendly match at the Dalian Sports Center Stadium on October 16.
Srecko Katanec's men went behind in the final knockings of the first half to Shihao Wei's opener before hitting back through strikes from Otabek Shukurov and Jamshid Iskanderov.
That was a second straight win for the White Wolves, and they are now unbeaten in all but two of their last 12 matches across all competitions.
Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have lost each of the previous five editions of this fixture by a combined score of 13-1.
Currently on a run of five away victories in six matches leading up to Thursday's contest, the visitors will be keen to continue their upturn in form on the road.
Turkmenistan showed great resolve to avoid defeat as they held Bahrain to a 1-1 stalemate at the Police Officers Club Stadium on September 12.
Mergen Orazow's men conceded a 13th-minute strike from Mohamed Marhoon but managed to restore parity just shy of the half-hour mark through Teymur Charyyew.
While the Karakum Warriors did avoid a fourth straight loss, they are now without a victory in seven outings stretching back to June 2022.
Off the back of three home losses on the bounce, Thursday's hosts now set out to secure a much-needed return to winning ways in front of their fans.
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Team News
Uzbekistan's Jamshid Iskanderov has racked up four goals and seven assists at club level so far, making him one to keep an eye on here.
Skipper Eldor Shomurodov is expected to lead the line for the visitors, despite failing to find the back of the net for club and country since June.
Twenty-two-year-old Teymur Charyyew will head into Thursday's game with the wind in his sails after recently opening his account for Turkmenistan.
With 56 caps and 14 international goals to his name, forward Arslanmyrat Amanow is set to play a crucial role for the visitors in this one.
Turkmenistan possible starting lineup:
Caryyew; Saparow, Annagulyyew, Basimow, Mammedow; Atayew, Hojayew, Annayew; Amanow, Tamurkin, Bayow
Uzbekistan possible starting lineup:
Yusupov; Alijonov, Sayfiev, Ashurmatov, Eshmurodov; Iskanderov, Shukurov, Hamrobekov, Masharipov; Sergeyev, Shomurodov
We say: Turkmenistan 1-3 Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan have dominated this fixture to a large degree and are huge favourites to come away with maximum points from this one, and while we can see Turkmenistan putting up a good fight, we fully expect the visitors to emerge triumphant in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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