Looking to solidify their spot at the top of Group A, Iran will welcome the United Arab Emirates to Azadi Stadium for a crucial clash in the AFC World Cup Qualifiers.
Team Melli have been near-perfect so far and will be confident of picking up their sixth win of the campaign, while Al Abyad will be looking to close the gap to the automatic qualification places.
Match preview
Amir Ghalenoei's Iran have won five and drawn one of their six games in Group A, and are on a three-game winning streak ahead of their return to action in midweek.
Last time out, Team Melli beat Kyrgyzstan 3-2 on the road, but the boss will be concerned that his team gave away their two-goal lead and needed a winner from Sardar Azmoun to recover what should have been a simple victory.
Regardless, that win kept Ghalenoei's side three points clear at the top of the table, though with second-placed Uzbekistan likely to win against the White Falcons in their own game, Iran will know the importance of making the most of Thursday's match.
Also in the hosts' favour is the strength of their home record, and with just one defeat on their own turf since 2022, they look well positioned for another positive result.
That being said, Team Melli have conceded two goals in each of their last two games, and considering that they both came against Group A's weakest teams, a win in midweek will require their forwards to be firing on all cylinders.
Meanwhile, Paulo Bento's UAE are on a three-game winless run going into Thursday's clash, though they have performed better in the World Cup Qualifiers than in other competitions.
Most recently, Al Abyad followed up a defeat against Kuwait by drawing with Oman in the Gulf Cup of Nations, but they did win their last two matches in Group A, including an impressive 5-0 thrashing of Qatar back in November.
That victory left Bento's men third in the table with 10 points, three fewer than Uzbekistan, who occupy one of the automatic qualification spots.
If the visitors are to make up the ground on the White Wolves on Thursday, then they will have to get back to winning ways on the road after failing to triumph in either of their last two, but given that they have won three of their four away games in Group A, they will feel capable of taking something despite facing the leaders.
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Team News
Iran will welcome centre-back Shoja Khalilzadeh back into the XI after he served a suspension against Kyrgyzstan last time out.
With the defence leaking goals in his absence, expect the boss to put him into the lineup alongside Ali Nemati as he looks to plug the holes at the back.
UAE have a suspended player of their own returning this week, with centre-back Kouame Autonne Kouadio available once again after missing his team's match against Oman in the Gulf Cup of Nations.
As a result, Mohamed Omar Al Attas should make way for the defender to join Khalifa Al-Hammadi in front of goalkeeper Khalid Eisa.
Iran possible starting lineup:
Beiranvand; Hardani, Khalilzadeh, Nemati, Mohammadi; Karimi, Ezatolahi; Gholizadeh, Taremi, Mohebi; Azmoun
United Arab Emirates possible starting lineup:
Eisa; Aldhanhani, Al-Hammadi, Al Attas, Meloni; Nader, Hunt; Abdullah, Lima, Alghassani; Oliveira
We say: Iran 2-1 United Arab Emirates
Iran have not lost any of their games in Group A, and they will be feeling motivated to keep ahead of Uzbekistan in midweek.
Expect Team Melli to take all three points in this match, but given their recent defensive displays, UAE are likely to be on the scoresheet and make it a close-fought contest.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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