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Qatar have looked well out of their depth in both matches to date, with the 6-0 defeat they suffered against Canada a chastening loss that would have been heavy without either of the red cards they picked up around half time.

Even in drawing 1-1 with Switzerland, they gave up 3.2 xG and 10 big chances. They were reliant on their opponents’ wastefulness to secure a point. This defensive vulnerability will be exploited by a Bosnia team that was 20 minutes away from a draw with the Swiss after deservedly drawing with Canada. Edin Dzeko, who is fit again, can be a difference maker for the Europeans.

Brought back into the starting XI last time out after being a replacement during the first match of the tournament following injury, Sunjic wasted little time in committing two fouls.

It was the third occasion in succession the midfielder had done that for his international side, while he has also achieved this feat in eight of his last 10 matches. The Pafos player averages 3.64 fouls per 90 during the World Cup to date and has no major restrictions on him coming into this match, given that he has not been booked and so is not under threat of missing a possible knockout match.

Both of these teams need to win to stand a chance of progression, so this should become an open and exciting match at some point, defying the recent trend of both nations to be involved in low-scoring affairs. Bosnia’s defence is far from perfect, having conceded in nine of their last 10 matches, while Qatar were feeble against Canada.

This is the biggest game of many of these players’ careers, so there will be nothing left in the tank come the end, with gambles simply having to be taken.

The World Cup lives of both of these teams is on the line, and that means the card count is likely to be high. These nations have combined for 11 cards in their opening games, averaging 2.75 each per match.

Bosnia top the crime count in the whole competition at the time of writing with 38 fouls, while they have made 18+ fouls in eight of their last 12 competitive games. Referee Jesús Valenzuela is unlikely to stand for much nonsense. He may have only dished out one card in Australia’s remarkable win over Turkey, but he averages 5.13 in the 26 games he has overseen this season.

Ivan Sunjic started in midfield last time out, and he committed two fouls against Switzerland. He repeated that feat against Canada in the first round, despite only playing the final 20 minutes off the bench. Sunjic had an average of 3.28 fouls per 90 for Bosnia during their qualifying matches, picking up two cards in his eight appearances. 

He is a seriously combative figure in the heart of midfield, and he will be motivated here to help keep Bosnia’s World Cup hopes alive.