Both teams are unbeaten so far, but the Pharaohs are coming off a victory and having led at some point in their two matches, should maintain that trend in this fixture.
Key Stats
- Egypt are unbeaten in four of their last five matches in all competitions.
- Egypt have led at some point in their two Group G matches.
- Iran have failed to win their two Group G matches.
No Previous Meetings
This will be the first-ever clash between Egypt and Iran at this level.
Egypt Setting the Pace
Egypt head into this clash off the back of a 3-1 victory over New Zealand in their previous Group G fixture. They fought back from a goal down, with goals from Mostafa Ziko, Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet earning them the win.
Having begun their campaign with a 1-1 draw with Belgium, the win over New Zealand means Egypt remain unbeaten in the group. Hossam Hassan's team sit at the top of the standings with four points and need only a draw in their final fixture to secure a place in the round of 32.
Driven by Salah, Egypt have shown plenty of attacking quality in their two matches in Group G. The Pharaohs have led at some point in both fixtures.
Iran Still Alive
Iran battled to a 0-0 draw with group favourites Belgium in their previous fixture. They withstood waves of pressure and maintained their discipline at the back, with goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand making seven saves.
Team Melli remain unbeaten in the competition, having kicked off their campaign with a 2-2 draw with New Zealand. They will head into their final fixture needing a win to strengthen their chances for automatic qualification.
While Iran were solid at the back against Belgium, they will need a bit more attacking threat in their next outing. They failed to score in that clash and also had to come from behind twice in their opening fixture against New Zealand.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Egypt (4-2-3-1): Oufa Shobeir; Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Rami Rabia, Ahmed Fatouh; Mohanad Lasheen, Marwan Attia; Emam Ashour, Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Ziko, Omar Marmoush.
Defender Yasser Ibrahim went off injured in the first half against New Zealand and is likely to miss this clash. Rabia is expected to replace him at centre-back, while the likes of Salah, Ziko and Marmoush should maintain their places in the team.
Iran (4-3-3): Alireza Beiranvand; Saleh Hardani, Hossein Kanaani, Shojae Khalizadeh Ehsan Hajzafi; Ramin Razaeian, Saman Ghoddos, Saeid Ezatolahi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mahdi Torabi, Mehdi Taremi.
Iran will be targeting a win here and are likely to be slightly more attacking in this one. Forwards Jahanbakhsh and Torabi could be handed starts after coming off the bench last time out, while Khalizadeh is expected to continue in defence.