Before they conclude a so-far unbeaten World Cup qualifying campaign later this week, Serbia meet finals hosts Qatar on Thursday evening.

While the home side prepare for a crucial trip to Portugal with this warm-up friendly at Stadion Rajko Mitic, their opponents are looking to bounce back from heavy defeats in their last two matches.

Match preview

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Within touching distance of a place at Qatar 2022, a talented Serbia side must endure the agony of watching on in midweek, as closest rivals Portugal take on the Republic of Ireland knowing a win would put them in control of their own destiny.

One point ahead of the 2016 European champions as it stands, the Eagles have at least sealed a playoff spot, so all will be decided between the top two in Lisbon on Sunday.

A playing legend with Marseille and Yugoslavia during the 1990s, head coach Dragan Stojkovic has fared particularly well in charge of his nation since being appointed on his 56th birthday, back in March.

Five wins and two draws from seven competitive games to date represents an excellent return for a manager who has spent much of the last 30 years in Japan and China, and back-to-back victories when the Serbs last convened in October sees them approach this important week in good form.

In-demand Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic scored three times across their two qualifiers last month - versus Luxembourg and Azerbaijan - while influential captain Dusan Tadic also found the net in a dominant 3-1 win over the latter.

Both have again been called up alongside record goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic - currently blazing a trail through the Championship for Fulham - as Serbia hope to limber up for the weekend's big clash with a repeat of their comfortable win against Qatar when the pair last met.

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Set to participate in their first-ever World Cup finals - due to hosting football's global gathering in just 12 months time - Qatar's preparations have gone far from smoothly on the field, while controversy and conjecture continue off it.

While the future looked bright for the 2019 Asian Cup winners after they enjoyed a run to the summer's Gold Cup semi-finals as a guest nation, scorelines this season have not been kind to Felix Sanchez's side.

September's 4-0 thumping by the Serbians - when they went two goals down within the first 18 minutes - set the tone for the past few months, as Qatar went on to lose twice to Portugal (by an aggregate 6-1 score), then suffered a 4-0 reverse at the hands of Ireland last time out. In fact, the Maroons have only avoided defeat once in their last five internationals, in a 1-1 draw with lowly Luxembourg.

Having benefited from being the extra team in Group A of European qualifying - without, of course, accumulating points or affecting others' points totals - Qatar are continuing a period of pre-tournament experimentation, which Sanchez hopes will help them perform on the grandest stage when the opportunity finally comes around next year.

The former Barcelona primavera coach, who has been ensconced in his new homeland since 2006, previously oversaw an 11-match unbeaten run which lifted the Qataris as high as 43rd place in the world rankings before their recent downturn.

Therefore, hopes of an improved showing in Serbia this week - plus in Sunday's fixture with Azerbaijan - remain realistic for a nation whose next stop is the Arab Cup at the end of this month.

Team News

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As Serbia are facing a potentially definitive fixture in just a few days time, Dragan Stojkovic will most likely employ some less experienced squad players for Qatar's visit to Belgrade on Thursday.

Uncapped goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, having been promoted to first choice at Torino this season, could make his full debut for the home side, while his Granata teammate Sasa Lukic could also start ahead of older brother Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in midfield.

Having just returned from a hamstring injury, Sassuolo's Filip Djuricic may also feature, after he was suspended for last month's match against Azerbaijan.

Stojkovic generally prefers a three-man back line, and is likely to field a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Luka Jovic, Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic battling for places up front.

Qatar, meanwhile, bring an experienced squad to the Serbian capital, as 157-cap striker Hassan Al-Haydos and his fellow centurion, left-back Abdelkarim Hassan, lead the way for the visitors.

Almoez Ali is favourite to start up front for Felix Sanchez's side, as the Al-Duhail forward has an international strike-rate of more than one goal per two games.

One of several naturalised players in the squad, Portugal-born defender Pedro Miguel - better known in the Middle East as 'Ro-Ro' - will make up part of a probable back five.

Serbia possible starting lineup:
V. Milinkovic-Savic; Milenkovic, Nastasic, S. Mitrovic; Lazovic, Maksimovic, Gudelj, Lukic; Djuricic; Jovic, A. Mitrovic

Qatar possible starting lineup:
Hassan; Miguel, Al-Rawi, Salman, Khouki, Hassan; Al-Haydos, Boudiaf, Hatem; Afif, Almoez

We say: Serbia 2-1 Qatar

With at least one eye on the weekend's vital qualifier, Serbia are not expected to go full-gas for the win on Thursday night, but even a shadow side would feature enough guile and know-how to see off faltering Qatar.

Despite great investment helping the visitors take significant strides in recent years, their European counterparts have an abundance of attacking talent which could cause problems for any opponent.

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