Yemen vs Qatar Predictions
Yemen and Qatar meet in their second Gulf Cup Group B fixture this weekend.
Qatar began the competition with a solid victory over defending champions Bahrain, while Yemen slumped to a heavy defeat against the UAE.
With a strong H2H record, Qatar should be backed to claim a comfortable win, with at least two goals scored.
Qatar Expected to Claim Simple Victory
- Qatar won 6 of their last 7 matches against Yemen
- Yemen conceded 4+ goals in 4 of their last 5 matches against Qatar
- Yemen lost 8 of their last 10 matches (Gulf Cup)
Qatar Dominate H2H Record
Yemen and Qatar have met on seven occasions since 2009. Qatar won six of those games with a total of 24 goals scored. Yemen claimed a goalless draw in the Gulf Cup 12 years ago.
Qatar cruised to a 6-0 victory when the nations last met at the Gulf Cup in November 2019.
Yemen Face Tough Challenge after Heavy Defeat
Yemen face their second Gulf Cup Group B fixture after a 4-0 defeat against the UAE at King Abdullah Sports City on Thursday.
Nicolas Gimenez opened the scoring before Nader Sahal’s own goal doubled the UAE advantage. Luan Pereira added a third before half-time, and Gimenez struck again after the restart.
Ould Ali's side were second best throughout a one-sided opener in Jeddah. Yemen finished the contest with just two efforts on goal and a final xG total of only 0.19.
Al-Yaman as-Sa’eed secured their place at the 2027 Asian Cup with a 2-0 win over Lebanon in their final qualifier.
Noureddine Ould Ali’s side enjoyed a strong qualifying campaign, although their biggest wins came against weaker opposition. Yemen beat Bhutan 7-1 and Brunei 9-0 in their successful qualification campaign.
Qatar Make Winning Start after World Cup Struggles
Qatar began their Gulf Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory against defending champions Bahrain on Thursday.
Boualem Khoukhi headed in an Akram Afif free-kick in the 61st minute before substitute Hassan Al Haydos converted a stoppage-time penalty to secure the points.
Lopetegui's side were reduced to ten men after Ahmed Fathi was sent off in the second half.
Despite the dismissal, Qatar were good value for their victory. The Maroons registered 12 shots to Bahrain’s seven, while the final xG totals (2.32-0.42) further underlined their superiority.
The win offered welcome relief after Qatar's disappointing World Cup group-stage exit. They drew 1-1 with Switzerland before losing 6-0 to Canada and 3-1 to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Qatar finished bottom of Group B with one point and ten goals conceded.
While their recent form has been poor, a strong record in this fixture should not be ignored. Qatar scored at least four goals in their last four wins against Yemen.
Yemen vs Qatar Squads & Team News
Yemen Squad
Goalkeepers: Abdullah Al-Saadi, Osama Haidar, Mohammed Aman
Defenders: Amr Talal, Nader Sahal, Hamza Al-Rimi, Emad Al-Godaimah, Rami Al-Wasmani, Ali Al-Dugin, Radhawan Al-Hubaishi, Harwan Al-Zubaidi
Midfielders: Nasser Al-Gahwashi, Nawaf Abdullah, Mohammed Hashm Al-Najjar, Abdulwasea Al-Matari, Adel Abbas Qasem, Omar Al-Golan, Osamah Anbar, Anes Al-Maari
Forwards: Omar Al-Dahy, Abdulaziz Masnoum, Abdul Majeed Sabarah, Gassem Al-Sharafi
Head coach Ould Ali is likely to make changes to his first XI this weekend.
Adel Abbas Qasem, Nawaf Abdullah and D'Mani Mellor could earn starts after all three came on at half-time in Thursday’s defeat against the UAE.
Al-Yaman as-Sa’eed have no reported injury or suspension issues.
Qatar Squad
Goalkeepers: Mahmud Abunada, Salah Zakaria, Meshaal Barsham
Defenders: Pedro Miguel, Tarek Salman, Issa Laye, Jassem Gaber, Ayoub Al-Oui, Homam Ahmed, Boualem Khoukhi, Sultan Al-Brake
Midfielders: Abdulaziz Hatem, Karim Boudiaf, Mohamed Manai, Ahmed Fathy, Assim Madibo, Naif Al-Hadhrami
Forwards: Ahmed Alaaeldin, Edmilson Junior, Ahmed Al-Ganehi, Hassan Al-Haydos, Akram Afif, Yusuf Abdurisag, Almoez Ali, Tahsin Jamshid, Hashim Ali
Qatar boss Lopetegui will be forced into at least one alteration to his first XI this week. Ahmed Fathi is suspended after his red card against Bahrain.
Hassan Al Haydos scored after coming off the bench and is among those who could earn a start against Yemen.