Bahrain vs Indonesia Prediction: Both need a win

Bahrain will welcome Indonesia at Stad al-Bahrayn al-Watanī in Game Week 4 of the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Both need a win to cement their place in next round. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes?

The 2026 World Cup expansion to 48 teams has created hopes for qualification into the tournament for small nations such as Bahrain and Indonesia. These teams do face a task of competing with the team against Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Australia in their group. Bahrain did surprise their fans when they broke Australia 1-0, but their next match against Japan was a disaster 5-0. However, sitting in third place after two games and with matches against Indonesia and China at home gives Bahrain reasons to be positive. At least three points from the games could ensure Bahrain remain in the race for the top-four spot and reach the next round. After losing twice in their last nine matches, both against Japan, Bahrain seems to be on an upbeat trend. 

Lutfalla; Emmanuel, Baqer, Benadi, Al-Khulasi; Madan, Al-Asfoor, Haram, Marhoon; Al-Aswad, Abduljabbar

Indonesia has been going well with just one loss in recent times to Iraq, showing the grit by holding draws against Saudi Arabia and Australia. Indonesia's clean sheet result against Australia would indicate the side is good enough to carry the qualification run as long as possible.

Paes; Walsh, Ridho, Idzes, Prasetyo, Verdonk; Ferdinan, Tjoe-A-On, Jenner, Oratmangoen; Struick

Shin will make difficult calls on his Bahrain XI, as his team was thrashed 5-0 in what would be a hard decision to take his XI without any changes.

Indonesia faced problems with the pulling out of Ali Madan and Ali Haram early in the last match, allowing four goals to be conceded when they left the pitch. Shin may have to play the same starting eleven from the game against Japan. Indonesia may be compelled to fiddle about with their side as Justin Hubner is unavailable, and if Talajic persists with a back five, then Wahyu Prasetyo might get his chance. Mees Hilgers might be the first player to taste action at the back for Indonesia. He is a defense player who played in the Eredivisie for FC Twente. Despite Bahrain's heavy defeat in the previous game, their victory against Australia in the first away game cannot be overlooked. Taking all this into account, a very narrow home win for Bahrain in Riffa is predicted, keeping them at least in the top three.