Saudi Arabia will be without star forward Al Jaber, who underwent an appendectomy earlier in the week, and Obaid Al Dosari, who tore knee ligaments against Cameroon.
Rep of Ireland have a fully-fit squad ahead of their crucial final group game. Mick McCarthy's side need to win by two clear goals to make sure of a place in the second round. McCarthy is unlikely to start with towering striker Niall Quinn, despite Saudi Arabia's weakness in the air.
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MATCH PREVIEW STATISTICS
No previous meetings
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MATCH SHORTS
Saudi Arabia were the first team to be eliminated from this year's World Cup. They were also the first nation to go out in 1998.
In order to progress from this group, Ireland need to win by at least two goals. They have never scored two goals in a World Cup match. A win will still put them through if one of the teams wins the other game. A single goal win will still put them through in some circumstances if Cameroon and Germany draw. However, it can also lead to elimination and even the nightmare of a drawing of lots with Cameroon.
Ireland have only won one of their eleven World Cup matches - a 1-0 victory over Italy in 1994.
Jason McAteer, Steve Finnan and Steven Reid will all be suspended if they receive another yellow card in this match and they reach the second phase.
Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al Deayea is the only player to have played in all ten of his country's World Cup matches.
Jason McAteer and Gary Kelly will be doubly hoping that Ireland can reach the second phase of the competition as they both need two caps for their half centuries.
Only four Saudi Arabian outfield players have yet to make an appearance at this year's World Cup. They are Mohsin Harthi, Mansour Althagafi, Mohammed Al Shlhoub and Omar Al Ghamdi.
Saudi Arabia have played four European teams this year and have only won once. They beat Iceland in January but have lost to Denmark, Estonia and Germany.
Ireland's only defeat this year was at home to Nigeria but they have not won any of their last three games.
Saudi Arabia have not won any of their last six World Cup matches but Ireland have also not won any of their last five matches at World Cups.
Ireland have scored in all of their last six matches (including friendlies).
No Irishman has scored more than a single goal at a World Cup. Niall Quinn, Matt Holland and Robbie Keane are the players present at this competition with one World Cup goal to their names.
Rep of Ireland have a fully-fit squad ahead of their crucial final group game. Mick McCarthy's side need to win by two clear goals to make sure of a place in the second round. McCarthy is unlikely to start with towering striker Niall Quinn, despite Saudi Arabia's weakness in the air.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MATCH PREVIEW STATISTICS
No previous meetings
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MATCH SHORTS
Saudi Arabia were the first team to be eliminated from this year's World Cup. They were also the first nation to go out in 1998.
In order to progress from this group, Ireland need to win by at least two goals. They have never scored two goals in a World Cup match. A win will still put them through if one of the teams wins the other game. A single goal win will still put them through in some circumstances if Cameroon and Germany draw. However, it can also lead to elimination and even the nightmare of a drawing of lots with Cameroon.
Ireland have only won one of their eleven World Cup matches - a 1-0 victory over Italy in 1994.
Jason McAteer, Steve Finnan and Steven Reid will all be suspended if they receive another yellow card in this match and they reach the second phase.
Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al Deayea is the only player to have played in all ten of his country's World Cup matches.
Jason McAteer and Gary Kelly will be doubly hoping that Ireland can reach the second phase of the competition as they both need two caps for their half centuries.
Only four Saudi Arabian outfield players have yet to make an appearance at this year's World Cup. They are Mohsin Harthi, Mansour Althagafi, Mohammed Al Shlhoub and Omar Al Ghamdi.
Saudi Arabia have played four European teams this year and have only won once. They beat Iceland in January but have lost to Denmark, Estonia and Germany.
Ireland's only defeat this year was at home to Nigeria but they have not won any of their last three games.
Saudi Arabia have not won any of their last six World Cup matches but Ireland have also not won any of their last five matches at World Cups.
Ireland have scored in all of their last six matches (including friendlies).
No Irishman has scored more than a single goal at a World Cup. Niall Quinn, Matt Holland and Robbie Keane are the players present at this competition with one World Cup goal to their names.