Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar eye knockout lifeline
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar head into their final Group B fixture in Seattle with little margin for error and a place in the World Cup knockout rounds still within reach.
Neither side has managed a victory through their opening two matches, but qualification remains mathematically possible ahead of a decisive evening in the group.
Bosnia began the tournament with a creditable 1-1 draw against Canada before coming unstuck against Switzerland, who punished a series of defensive errors on their way to a 4-1 victory.
The defeat left Sergej Barbarez's side facing a complicated qualification equation, but the immediate objective is clear. Anything less than three points will bring their campaign to an end.
The Dragons will at least take encouragement from their opening performance against Canada.
Much will again rest on the experience of Edin Dzeko. The veteran striker remains Bosnia's reference point in attack and is expected to lead the line alongside Ermedin Demirovic as they search for the result that could yet extend their stay in North America.
Qatar arrive in a similarly precarious position.
Julen Lopetegui's side opened with a respectable draw against Switzerland but were comprehensively beaten by Canada in their second outing, conceding six times in a result that left their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
The manner of that defeat may be just as concerning as the scoreline itself. Qatar struggled to cope with Canada's intensity and finished the match with nine men following the dismissals of Homam Ahmed and Assim Madibo, both of whom will serve suspensions on Wednesday.
Victory would keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage, provided results elsewhere fall in their favour. Any other outcome would confirm another group-stage exit.
This will be only the third meeting between the two nations. Bosnia are still searching for their first victory over Qatar after drawing one and losing the other.
Bosnia and Herzegovina predicted lineup:
Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Hadzikadunic, Kolasinac; Alajbegovic, Sunjic, Tahirovic, Memic; Dzeko, Demirovic
Qatar predicted lineup:
Abunada; Al Oui, Khoukhi, Miguel, Al Brake; Laye, Gaber, Boudiaf; Edmilson, Abdurisag, Afif
