India vs Maldives Predictions & Tips - Blue Tigers Backed in SAFF Championship
India are tipped to defeat Maldives in the final Group B match of the SAFF Championship at the National Stadium in Dhaka, with at least three goals expected. India have won four of their last five meetings with Maldives, scoring three or more goals in the last two encounters. Maldives have lost nine of their last eleven competitive matches and suffered a 3-0 defeat to Pakistan in their previous outing. India’s strong head-to-head record and recent form make them clear favourites, while Maldives must win by three goals to progress.
- India take on Maldives in Wednesday's SAFF Championship clash
- India to win/Over 2.5 goals tipped in Dhaka this week
- Get our India vs Maldives predictions in the SAFF Championship
- India vs Maldives Predictions
- Blue Tigers Backed for Another Victory
- India Unbeaten in Recent H2H
- India Edge Past Pakistan
- Maldives Look to Respond to Heavy Defeat
- India vs Maldives Squads and Team News
India vs Maldives Predictions
India face Maldives at the National Stadium in Dhaka in Wednesday's final Group B fixture in the SAFF Championship.
The defending champions must only avoid a heavy defeat to reach the last four, but should still take care of a weak Maldives side.
I'm backing India to win with at least three goals scored.
Blue Tigers Backed for Another Victory
- India won 2 of their last 3 matches (competitive fixtures)
- India scored 3+ goals in their last 2 matches against Maldives
- India won 4 of their last 5 matches against Maldives
- Maldives have seen over 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 5 matches against India
- Maldives lost 9 of their last 11 matches
- Maldives have seen over 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches
India Boast Strong Record in Recent H2H
India and Maldives have met on five previous occasions since 2015. India won four of those matches, including a 3-1 victory in the 2021 SAFF Championship.
Maldives claimed just one win - a 2-1 success in this competition eight years ago.
India Edge Past Pakistan
India began their SAFF Championship defence with an entertaining 3-2 win against arch rivals Pakistan in Dhaka last Thursday.
Suhail Ahmad Bhat struck twice before Manglenthang Kipgen added a third to put the Blue Tigers firmly in control before half-time.
Pakistan threatened an unlikely comeback with two stoppage-time goals, but India held on to claim local bragging rights.
India had failed to win each of seven previous fixtures, including heavy defeats against South American opponents Brazil (4-0) and Uruguay (6-1).
While Naushad Moosa's men have struggled in recent friendlies, they have now won two of their last three competitive fixtures.
The Blue Tigers are the most successful nation in SAFF Championship history, having won the tournament nine times, most recently in 2023.
Maldives Look to Respond to Heavy Defeat
Maldives head into Wednesday's contest after a one-sided 3-0 defeat against Pakistan in their opening Group B fixture on Sunday.
McKeal Abdullah converted an early penalty before Najeeb Ullah bagged a brace to put the contest beyond Istvan Urbanyi's side before half-time.
Maldives enjoyed slightly more possession (53%-47%) but managed just seven shots to Pakistan's 15. They registered only one effort on target as Pakistan dominated proceedings in front of a crowd of just 203 at the National Stadium.
Sunday's defeat leaves Maldives facing an uphill task against the defending champions. The Red Snappers must win by three goals or more to secure an unlikely place in the final four.
Two-time winners of this competition, the South Asian nation have been eliminated at the group stage in their past two appearances in 2023 and 2021.
More recently, the 178th-ranked nation have lost nine and won just one of 11 competitive fixtures since 2023. An average of 2.63 goals per game were scored in those matches.
India vs Maldives Squads and Team News
India Squad
Goalkeepers: Vishal Kaith, Hrithik Tiwari, Som Kumar.
Defenders: Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Akash Mishra, Bijoy Varghese, Roshan Singh Naorem, Jay Gupta, Pramveer Singh, Mehtab Singh, Ricky Meetei Haobam.
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Jithin M. S., Lalrinliana Hnamte, Tomba Singh Haobam, Mohammed Sanan.
Forwards: Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco, Ryan Williams, David Lalhlansanga, Muhammad Suhail.
Head coach Moosa is likely to retain much of the same XI that beat Pakistan.
Suhail Ahmad Bhat is expected to lead the attack after scoring twice last weekend.
Lallianzuala Chhangte and Sandesh Jhingan are among the more experienced players not included in a largely youthful Indian selection.
India boss Naushad Moosa expressed frustration with his side's wastefulness in front of goal against Pakistan.
"When you miss so many chances, you might get punished," Moosa warned.
"The amount of chances we created, it could have been six, seven, eight goals if we could convert them."
“It was not a bad game, but players need to understand how important it is to stay consistent throughout 90 minutes instead of being casual,"
Maldives Squad
Goalkeepers: Hussain Shareef, Mohamed Faisal, Mohamed Shafeeu.
Defenders: Aihu, Nashiu Ahmed Shiham, Hassan Eenaaz, Amdhan Ali, Haisham Hassan, Thoif Gasim, Hussain Sifaau, Ahmed Abdulla.
Midfielders: Ibrahim Aisam, Ahzam Rasheed, Ibrahim Waheed Hassan, Fatho, Nassah Ibrahim Nasir, Ibrahim Mahudhee.
Forwards: Ali Fasir, Abdulla Looth Ibrahim, Hamza Mohamed (captain), Ali Ashfaq, Naiz Hassan, Mohamed Ilan Imran.
Maldives coach Urbanyi could make changes following the 3-0 loss to Pakistan.
Ali Fasir, Nisham Mohamed Rasheed and Hussain Sifaau Yoosuf are in contention after substitute appearances last weekend.
Veteran forward Ali Ashfaq is poised to win his 102nd cap. The 41-year-old has scored 58 goals in a 23-year international career.
Verdict
India should have far too much quality for a Maldives side that has suffered several heavy defeats in the past year.
I have my stake on a high-scoring win for the SAFF title-holders.
I have my stake on a high-scoring win for the SAFF title-holders.
India/Over 2.5
Result/Total Goals
@8/15 - 4 Units
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A huge fan of the goal markets, he specialises in BTTS and over 2.5 goal picks from the MLS to the Bundesliga and beyond.
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