Uzbekistan vs Iran Prediction: Both are yet to lose in this round

Uzbekistan will welcome Iran at Milliy Stadion in Game Week 4 of the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Both have not lost a single game in this round of the tournament. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes?

Uzbekistan current performance

Having been unable to qualify for the World Cup seven times in a row since Uzbekistan became an independent nation and thereby entered FIFA, the team must now be optimistic for a break in the streak by qualifying for the next tournament. Uzbekistan was looking great over the September break having won both North Korea and Kyrgyzstan.

Uzbekistan trailed 2-1 during their match with Kyrgyzstan on September 10, but managed a comeback win with Khusniddin Alikulov and Oston Urunov's goals in addition to one from Alexander Pliyev. In two matches, the team got six points and tops the group ahead of United Arab Emirates and Asian Cup champion Qatar.

Eldor Shomurodov has scored in the game so far against Kyrgyzstan; he is a player who is well-known within the squad for Uzbekistan, having played for four Serie A matches for Roma so far in this season. They did not concede any match at normal time, since losing 3-0 against the USA in a game in September 2023.

Expected Uzbekistan line-up

Yusupov; Alidzhanov, Alikulov, Ashurmatov, Eshmuradov, Nasrulloev; Khamrobekov, Shukurov, Masharipov; Urunov, Shomurodov

Iran form

Iran is as good as to emerge in their fourth successive World Cup finals after a successful international break over September, during which they earned two 1-0 wins against Kyrgyzstan and United Arab Emirates. This brings the visiting team into level points with Uzbekistan at Group A after playing two games. Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, former Royal Antwerp and Boavista player, played a crucial role by holding two clean sheets last month. 32-year-old Beiranvand is one of the experienced players for Team Melli; he has played in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Iran was disappointing early with a shocking exit from the previous World Cup after changing the coaching staff with new Amir Ghalenoei replacing Carlos Queiroz. Ghalenoei boasts 20 wins in 24 official matches and has suffered only one loss during his time in charge so far. With the AFC now offering eight automatic qualification spots for the World Cup, doubled that previous number, Iran is as confident as it can be to progress further than ever before as it heads to North America for the next set of tournaments.

In the group phase stages, Iran was in Group E and shared draws with Uzbekistan, her other fellow participant in the group.

Iran Probable Starting Lineup

Beiranvand; Hardani, Kanaani, Khalilzadeh, Mohammadi; Noorafkan, Ezatolahi; Jahanbakhsh, Ghoddos, Ghayedi; Taremi

Uzbekistan vs Iran Tips from Experts

Given that both teams have drawn their last two competitive matches, there is a close game in store for Thursday in Tashkent between the top teams in Group A. Iran has been on a streak since the appointment of head coach Ghalenoei in March 2023, and we expect Team Melli to snatched a close win in Uzbekistan to take over the top position from the hosts in the group standings.