Saudi Arabia vs. Oman - prediction, team news, lineups

Saudi Arabia, who have won the Asian Cup three times, will begin their journey in Qatar on Tuesday evening. They'll face Oman in their first Group F match at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan. Both teams are eager to make a strong start in a group that also includes Thailand and Kyrgyzstan.

Due to injuries, Ayman Yahya, Abbas Al-Hassan, and Al-Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi have been excluded from Saudi Arabia's final squad for the upcoming finals in Qatar. 

Roberto Mancini, who opted for a squad entirely based in Saudi Arabia, has also decided to send Rayan Hamid back to the Under-23 Olympic team camp and left out over a dozen players from the 2022 World Cup squad.

Winger Salem Al-Dawsari, boasting 79 caps and recently sent off in a match against Palestine, is expected to join Al-Hilal teammates Ali Al-Bulaihi and Saud Abdulhamid in the Green Falcons' starting XI. Firas Al-Buraikan from Al-Ahly, who has frequently started ahead of Roberto Firmino in the Saudi Pro League, is also likely to feature.

Oman, like their opponents, doesn't have players currently playing in Europe, and their most-capped squad member is experienced midfielder Harib Al-Saadi. 

Qatar-based Jameel Al-Yahmadi is set to play for the Reds, who may tweak the 4-3-3 formation used in recent World Cup qualifying fixtures to counter Saudi Arabia's attacking prowess.

Saudi Arabia possible starting lineup:

Al-Najjar; Tambakti, Al-Bulaihi, Al-Saluli; Abdulhamid, Al-Malki, Al-Hassan, Al-Dawsari, Kadesh; Al-Shehri, Al-Buraikan

Oman possible starting lineup:

Al-Rushaidi; Al-Yahmadi, Al-Khamisi, Al-Braiki, Al-Kaabi; Al-Aghbari, Fawaz, Al-Saadi, Al-Adawi, Saleh; Al-Sabhi