One or both of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Qatar face elimination from the World Cup ahead of their final Group B fixture in Seattle on Wednesday.
Sergej Barbarez's side began their first campaign since 2014 with a hard-fought draw against World Cup co-hosts Canada, but the Dragons' dreams of progression were left hanging by a thread after a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland last time out.
And, to make matters worse, they will now be without key defender Tarik Muharemovic for this crucial clash after he was sent off against the Swiss.
Not to be outdone, Qatar were thrashed 6-0 by Canada and had two men sent off in their second game.
Head coach Julen Lopetegui offered no excuses after a defeat that exposed deep defensive issues and took the shine off their creditable 1-1 draw with Switzerland last week.
They have no real attacking identity and remain the group’s most fragile side.
A point is not going to be enough for either side to go through given their poor goal difference, so this Group B clash feels like a winner-goes-through and loser-goes-home affair.
Bosnia-Herzegovina v Qatar Tips Summary
Best Bet - Bosnia-Herzegovina to win to nil @ 11/8
Alternative Bet - Under 3.5 goals @ 1/2
Bet Builder - Edin Dzeko to score at anytime, Amir Memic 1+ shots & Qatar: Over 2 cards @ 5/1
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Bosnia-Herzegovina v Qatar Prediction
Best Bet: Bosnia-Herzegovina to win to nil @ 11/8
Bosnia may not be the higher-ranked team going into this clash, but from the evidence of their performances so far, they are the stronger side.
Unlike Qatar, they have at least shown a structure and an element of tactical discipline. They led for 57 minutes against Canada - the current group leaders - and looked pretty comfortable for the most part.
And their 4-1 defeat to Switzerland was more about the quality of their opponents than any Bosnian collapse.
Qatar, by contrast, have conceded seven goals in two matches, including six in catastrophic fashion last time out.
Their defensive shape disintegrated under pressure and Bosnia's experienced forwards - particularly Edin Dzeko and Ermedin Demirovic - are perfectly capable of exploiting those weaknesses.
It's not been an ideal tournament for the Dragons, but if you had given them this scenario where they only need to beat Qatar to seal a spot in the round of 32, they would probably have taken it.
Barbarez's side raised their game for the two World Cup qualification play-offs against Wales and Italy earlier this year, grabbing late equalisers in both when they were facing elimination.
They should have too much for a Qatar side that has struggled badly against high‑tempo European opposition, such as in their final warm-up match against the Republic of Ireland.
The win to nil bet also appeals because Maroon One have failed to score in four of their last five matches, and the final group game of their home World Cup finals four years ago when they lost 2-0 to the Netherlands.
Alternative Bet: Under 3.5 goals @ 1/2
Qatar games are usually low-scoring affairs, albeit with the proviso that anything can happen when they lose the plot as they did against Canada.
Five of their previous six matches featured fewer than three goals and their last nine all came in under the 3.5-goal mark.
Likewise, the Dragons are not the most potent outfit in Europe and managed to score only 12 goals in eight qualifiers if you discount the two against San Marino.
Seven of their 10 qualifying matches featured fewer than four goals, and it would be a major surprise if this group clash went against the grain.
Bosnia-Herzegovina v Qatar Bet Builder
Edin Dzeko to score at anytime
Amir Memic 1+ shots
Qatar: Over 2 cards
Pays 5/1
Dzeko remains Bosnia's most reliable attacking outlet, with 73 international goals at a rate of one every two games.
He has the experience to handle high‑pressure fixtures and looks the best option to score in a tense finish to the group.
Left-winger Amit Memic loves to cut inside and let fly with his stronger right foot. He has registered seven shots in his last six competitive appearances for the Dragons and makes solid appeal to shoot at least once on Wednesday.
Combine that with Qatar to receive over two cards in a game where they could be exposed as they try to score themselves. They have received three yellow cards and had two men sent off in their first two fixtures.
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Key Match Stats
Edin Dzeko has scored or assisted in six of his last nine competitive international appearances
Qatar have failed to score in four of their last five matches
Qatar have drawn one and lost two of their last three matches against European opposition
Seven of Bosnia-Herzegovina's 10 qualifying matches featured fewer than four goals
There have been five red cards in Qatar's last five matches
Qatar have an aggregate score of 2-14 from their five World Cup matches
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
