Kuwait vs Iraq — Tips & Analysis

Iraq -0.75: Iraq have the better players and Kuwait are in poor shape, and that is the whole case here. Kuwait have won just 1 of their last 11 games, tying 3 and losing 7. They score less than a goal a game and let in more than one. Saudi Arabia beat them 1-0 three days ago. Iraq have won 8 of their last 17 games. They were held 1-1 by Oman on the opening day, but they carry far more threat than this Kuwait side. The whole Gulf Cup is played in Jeddah, so this is neutral ground and neither team has a crowd behind it. Both sides played three days ago, so tired legs and changes are likely. Kuwait have not beaten Iraq in the last 5 meetings. A 1-0 Iraq win is the most likely score. Iraq have scored more than once in only four of their last ten games, so one goal may well be enough to decide it. The honest worry is that Iraq do not win by much. They have won by 2 or more in just 1 of their last 17 games. Iraq also score less than a goal a game away from their own ground. Kuwait tied 3 of the last 5 meetings and are stubborn enough to grind out another. We still want Iraq to win this.