Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers match.
This is a decisive fixture for fourth place in Group B, which secures progression to the next round of the qualifiers. Oman are one point ahead of Palestine and will advance even with a draw. Meanwhile, Palestine require nothing less than a win. The match will be played on neutral ground, which effectively eliminates home advantage. With both sides likely to adopt a cautious approach and the stakes extremely high, a tight and tense encounter is expected.
Palestine
Palestine revived their qualification hopes at the last minute. Recent victories over Iraq (2:1) and Kuwait (2:0) re-ignited the battle in the group standings. The squad defended solidly in both matches, although their finishing remains inconsistent. On average, they score just once per game, and despite registering a combined 31 shots against Kuwait and Iraq, they only managed four goals. Notably, they held just 34% possession against Kuwait.
Oman
Oman have alternated between wins and setbacks throughout the campaign. They have collected 10 points, including a 1:0 win over Palestine in the reverse fixture. The team remained in the qualification zone until a heavy 3:0 defeat to Jordan in the previous round. Over their last six qualifying matches, Oman have scored only three goals and finished under 2.5 Total Goals in four of them.
Palestine vs Oman Prediction
A cautious scenario seems likely here: Oman only need a draw, while Palestine struggle with efficiency in front of goal. Oman have lost just once in their last five head-to-head meetings with Palestine. Furthermore, prospects for Palestine on neutral ground appear limited. Both teams are expected to avoid taking unnecessary risks given the high price of a mistake. This forms the basis for the combination bet.
