India vs Bahrain Predictions and Match Preview

Peter Green - January 11, 2019

India vs Bahrain
AFC Asian Cup
Date: Monday, 14^th January 2019
Kick-off at 16.00 UK/ 17.00 CET
Venue: Sharjah Stadium (Sharjah).

Indian football fans have been through a rollercoaster of emotions the last week. The sleeping giant of world football, as once Sepp Blatter termed the South Asian team, started the tournament with a bang. They defeated Thailand with a convincing performance and raced to the top of the group.

The joy was short-lived though, as the second game in the group stage saw the hosts of the tournament pulling one over the Blue Tigers.

Miroslav Soukup’s men are the only bunch that has not yet registered a win in Group A of the competition. The team does not harbor any hope of a deep run into this edition of the Asian Cup. Probably the only positive thing they will carry back home is the memories of securing a draw against UAE.

India vs Bahrain Head-to-head (h2h)

• The h2h record between the teams stretches back several years with significant gaps in between. The West Asian team holds a 100% winning record against Stephen Constantine’s boys.

• All matches that featured both these sides had over 2.5 match goals.

• The Al-Ahmar has scored two or more goals in every tie against India.

• Both teams got on the scoresheet in two of the last three h2h appearances.

India vs Bahrain Prediction

Over a billion hearts are pounding for an Indian win. The Blue Tigers will want no other motivation to secure their objective of passing on to the knockout stages of the tournament. Hopes were high after Stephen Constantine’s men recorded a comprehensive victory over Thailand. But a tough loss against UAE brought the exuberant fans back to earth.

The Red, despite having a perfect record against this opponent, will find life hard this Monday at the Sharjah Stadium. Also, the team has been quite easily the weakest of the lot, which was kind of unexpected just a few weeks back. They could register just a single draw from their two matches so far in the Asian Cup, and lost their tie against Thailand, whom India had defeated with a 4-1 scoreline.

In recent history, Indian football has never had such a momentous occasion as this. A win in this fixture would guarantee progression to the next round and would propel the nation to unchartered territories of football frenzy. There’s little chance that the South Asian bunch would squander their chance away. I predict either an Indian win or draw.

Both sides know the importance of this tie and will play it safe. Mistakes will be few, and so will be risks. Expect under 2.5 match goals in the game.

India vs Bahrain Betting Tips

• Double Chance: India or Draw @ 2.00 (1/1)

• Under 2.5 Match Goals @ 1.75 (3/4).