Only separated on goal difference in their Asian World Cup Qualifying third-round group, Saudi Arabia and China will do battle at the King Saud University Stadium on Thursday.
The two nations each only trail second-placed Australia by a single point with four group games remaining.
Match preview
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Saudi Arabia head into their first game of 2025 on Thursday aiming to end a winless run in Asian World Cup qualifying and strengthen their bid to reach the competition for a third consecutive time.
Following back-to-back appearances in 2018 and 2022, the Green Falcons began their latest bid in the second round of qualifying and advanced with a second-placed group finish, earning 13 points from their six outings.
That booked them a spot in group C in the third round, with the top two spots granting progression to the World Cup and the next two advancing to a fourth round, and Herve Renard‘s team enjoyed a positive start, drawing with Indonesia and beating China in their first two outings in September.
Their four outings since have produced just two more points, though, with draws against Bahrain and Australia followed by a 2-0 away defeat to Indonesia in November.
Now returning to action on the back of a Gulf Cup campaign in which they fell to Oman in the semi-finals, Saudi Arabia sit fourth in Group C, level on points with Indonesia, Bahrain and China and one behind second-placed Australia, and they will hope to move into the top two with a home victory on Thursday.
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Their visitors, meanwhile, head to Riyadh in an almost identical position with second spot in their sights.
Aiming to reach their second-ever World Cup and first since 2002, China also began qualifying in the second round and booked their place in Group C by advancing in second spot on eight points, pipping Thailand to that spot thanks to their head-to-head record.
Branko Ivankovic‘s team endured a dismal start to the third round, suffering a 7-0 beating at the hands of Japan and a 2-1 loss in the reverse fixture at home to Saudi Arabia, before seeing the losing run stretched to three games owing to a 3-1 defeat away to Australia.
The Dragon Team have since moved into a competitive position, though, thanks to back-to-back wins over Indonesia and Bahrain across October and November, before they hosted Japan most recently and again fell short in a 3-1 loss, despite Lin Liangming‘s goal early in the second half.
Now returning to action for the first time since that loss, and only trailing Australia by one point and third, fourth and fifth spots on goal difference, with the top four places granting progression beyond the third round, China will go in search of a return to winning ways in Riyadh on Thursday.
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Team News
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Saudi Arabia head into their upcoming qualifying games without several important players, with goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais, defenders Ali Al-Bulaihi, Yasir Al-Shahrani and Sultan Al-Ghannam, midfielder Abdulellah Al-Malki and attacker Saleh Al-Shehri not involved after travelling to the Gulf Cup in December.
Firas Al-Buraikan may continue to lead the line, while Salem Al-Dawsari is their main danger man from the wing, having scored 24 goals in his 94 international caps.
With several experienced defenders missing, Roma’s Saud Abdul Hamid will play an important role, while 38-capped Hassan Al-Tambakti is bound to line up in the centre of a back four.
China have been without key attacker Wu Lei, who leads their current ranks with 34 international goals, since their loss to Saudi Arabia in qualifying last year, meaning Lin Liangming may again get the nod to lead the line after his goal in their last outing against Japan.
Shihao Wei will hope to join him up front, while Zhang Yuning also has a claim to start with his tally of eight goals not matched by any other player in their latest squad.
Serginho should earn an international debut in midfield, having become a naturalised citizen in March.
Saudi Arabia possible starting lineup:
Al-Kassar; Abdul Hamid, Al-Tambakti, Lajami, Boushal; Kanno; Al-Sahafi, Al-Juwayr, N Al-Dawsari, S Al-Dawsari; Al-Buraikan
China possible starting lineup:
D Wang; Z Yang, S Jiang, Zhunyi, Hetao; Xu, S Wang, Xie; Serginho; Yuning, Liangming
We say: Saudi Arabia 2-0 China
With home advantage on their side in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia should make their superior quality count on Thursday and strengthen their claim for a top-two spot with a victory on Thursday.
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