The two sides resume what is one of Asia’s most well-known rivalries, one which dates back all the way to 1962.

Marc Wilmots’ team can, of course, take heart from its superior head-to-head record in all competitions, including winning two and losing one of their past three World Cup qualifying meetings.

Srecko Katanec’s side, however, has proven more than competitive over its rival in recent meetings, including at this year’s AFC Asian Cup.

Having suffered a 1-0 loss at the hands of Bahrain in the previous outing, Team Melli is under pressure to bounce back with an away win.

Wilmots has named a full-strength squad featuring ten overseas-based players. Katanec, though, has called up a trio of uncapped players to provide fresh impetus to Iraq as it aims to cement its place at the top with all three points.

Should the battle end in stalemate, Bahrain, level with Iraq on points, has the opportunity to move top with victory in Hong Kong.

Iran-Iraq football game will start at 17:30 according to Tehran time.

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Iraq had been due to play the two games in Basra — against Iran on Nov. 14 and Bahrain on Nov. 19 — but the southern port city has been caught up in the anti-government demonstrations that have swept Baghdad and the south.

On Wednesday they announced that “Jordan is the host to the matches against Bahrain and Iran”. Abdelkhaleq Masud, the head of Iraq’s football federation, told AFP.

FIFA must now approved the proposal.

Iran is third in Group C with six points. Iraq leads the table with seven points and Bahrain sit second on goal difference.

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