Duhok v Gas Alshimal prediction

What to expect

Duhok host Gas Alshimal at home in the Iraq Stars League on 8 September 2026. Duhok sit eighth in a twenty-team table with eight points from six games and a +1 goal difference. Gas Alshimal are just below them, also on eight points, but one place lower. A win for Duhok would lift them one spot above Al-Mosul, who sit just above them, while a loss would see them drop to the same level as Al-Jolan SC, who are currently one place below. Both clubs are fighting for a better mid-table finish, so the three points are valuable for either side.

Duhok have been in decent form recently. They beat Al-Zawraa 2-1, then drew 1-1 with Erbil, and followed that with a 3-2 victory over Samarra. Those three results give them six points from the last three games and a total of four goals scored and three conceded. The run shows they can find the net and also keep games close when needed.

Gas Alshimal have had a mixed spell. They started with a 0-0 draw against Duhok’s rivals Al-Mosul, then lost 2-0 to Basra, and most recently suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Celtic. That latest loss was heavy, with no reply after conceding three goals in the first half. The three games have left them with just one point, three goals scored and five let in, indicating they are struggling to score and keep clean sheets.

When the two clubs have met before, the games have been tight affairs. The scores have usually been low, with each side finding the net only once or not at all. This pattern suggests a match that could be decided by a single moment rather than a flood of goals. Given Duhok’s recent scoring record and Gas Alshimal’s recent defensive frailties, we expect a modestly open game but still one where Duhok have the edge.

Our pick is Duhok to win. The numbers give Duhok an expected 1.5 goals to Gas Alshimal’s 0.8, and we see them about a 51 % chance of coming out on top. The price of 1.65 is shorter than our view of the game, so it looks attractive. For the pick to go wrong, Gas Alshimal would need to rediscover the scoring touch they showed against Al-Mosul and keep a clean sheet, which has not happened in their last three outings. Otherwise, Duhok’s stronger form should see them take all three points.