Sports Mole previews Thursday’s World Cup Qualifying – Asia clash between Oman and Palestine, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Oman will welcome Palestine to Muscat for Thursday’s encounter in the AFC section of 2026 World Cup qualifying.
The hosts are sitting in fourth place in Group B with three points to their name, while the visitors are one point adrift at the bottom of the standings.
Match preview
Oman are competing in the third phase of qualifying after collecting 13 points from six matches to finish top of their group in the second round,
Unfortunately for Oman, they have found life much tougher in the third qualifying round, having won one and lost three of their four matches.
They began their campaign with back-to-back defeats, losing 1-0 in their away meeting with Iraq before falling to a 3-1 loss in their home clash against South Korea.
As a result of those defeats, Oman decided to part ways with former Czechia boss Jaroslav Silhavy, who was relieved of his duties less than seven months after being appointed as manager.
Rashid Jaber, who was appointed as Silhavy’s successor, began his tenure with a resounding 4-0 victory over Kuwait, before he was quickly stopped in his tracks by a heavy 4-0 defeat against Jordan.
As it stands, Oman are sitting inside the top four on goal difference, while they are four points adrift of the automatic qualification spots with six games left to play in the third stage of qualifying.
Palestine began their qualifying campaign in the second round, collecting eight points from six matches to finish in second place and above Lebanon and Bangladesh in Group I.
They won two of their six matches in the second stage, but they are still waiting for their first win of the third phase after taking just two points from their four matches.
Palestine kicked off the third round with an encouraging goalless draw in their meeting with South Korea in Seoul.
However, instead of building upon that promising point, Palestine went on to lose back-to-back games against Jordan and Iraq.
They managed to avoid another defeat in their most recent outing against Kuwait, with Zaid Qunbar netting a stoppage-time equaliser to help 10-man Palestine rescue a 2-2 draw.
They will look to build upon that result in Thursday’s fixture as they look to end a six-game winless run by claiming their first win since beating Bangladesh 1-0 in March.
Oman World Cup Qualifying – Asia form:
Palestine World Cup Qualifying – Asia form:
Team News
Oman are likely to line up with a back four of Abdul Aziz Al Shamousi, Ahmed Al-Khamisi, Mohammed Al-Musalami and Al-Busaidi.
Muhsen Al-Ghassani and Omar Al-Malki both found the net in Oman’s previous meeting with Palestine in 2023, and the pair could both be given the chance to start the latest head-to-head match between the two countries.
As for Palestine, defender Camilo Saldana will serve a one-match suspension after being sent off for two bookable offences during the draw with Jordan.
Mohammed Khalil could replace Saldana on the left side of defence, while there may also be starting places for Tamer Seyam and Qunbar.
Oman possible starting lineup:
Al-Mukhaini; Al Shamousi, Al-Khamisi, Al-Musalami, Al-Busaidi; Al-Yahmadi, Al-Saadi, Al-Alawi, Al-Mushaifri
Palestine possible starting lineup:
Hamadeh; Al-Battat, Saleh, Mahajna, Khalil; Abu Warda, Kharoub, Rashid, Seyam; Qunbar, Abou Ali
We say: Oman 2-1 Palestine
Oman recorded a 2-1 victory when the two sides last faced off in a friendly in September 2023, and we think they will produce a repeat of that scoreline in Thursday’s contest which would represent a second straight home win after beating Jordan in Muscat last month.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
