UAE v Uzbekistan

Venue: Al Nahyan Stadium (Sharjah)

Kick-off: Thursday, 20:00 (UTC+4)

Qatar v IR Iran

Venue: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Doha)

Kick-off: Thursday, 21:15 (UTC+30

DPR Korea v Kyrgyz Republic

Venue: Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium (Riyadh)

Kick-off: Thursday, 21:15 (UTC+3)

Uzbekistan's task is very simple - avoid defeat against the United Arab Emirates at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Sharjah and a debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup Finals will be confirmed.

Timur Kapadze's side sit second in the Group A standings, three behind Iran but - crucially - four ahead of UAE with two matchdays remaining.

Uzbekistan have hardly put a foot wrong in their qualifying campaign and will be determined to not slip up, not when FIFA World Cup qualification is at their doorstep.

UAE, however, will also be seeking victory as that would take them within a point of Uzbekistan and keep their hopes of qualifying automatically alive going into next week's final matchday.

Seeking a second appearance at the FIFA World Cup Finals, UAE will be led by Cosmin Olaroiu, with the Romanian replacing Paulo Bento as head coach after Matchday Eight.

Qatar, with their hopes of automatic qualification dashed, will aim to lock down a playoff spot when they welcome Iran to the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

The back-to-back AFC Asian Cup™ winners will also have a new head coach in charge, with Spaniard Julen Lopetegui having replaced compatriot Luis Garcia in early May.

Qatar are on 10 points, four ahead of Kyrgyz Republic with the Central Asian side to meet DPR Korea on Thursday. 

Oman v Jordan

Venue: Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex (Muscat)

Kick-off: Thursday, 20:00 (UTC+4)

Iraq v Korea Republic

Venue: Basra International Stadium (Basra)

Kick-off: Thursday, 21:15 (UTC+3)

Kuwait v Palestine 

Venue: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium (Ardhiyah)

Kick-off: Thursday, 21:15 (UTC+3)

Korea Republic, barring the unexpected, will surely take one of the two automatic spots from Group B with the East Asian side on 16 points, three ahead of Jordan.

Hong Myung-bo's side play Iraq on Thursday, in what promises to be an epic encounter with the West Asian side having recently appointed Australian Graham Arnold as head coach.

It is a tie Iraq must win as they sit a point behind second-placed Jordan, with the two to meet in Amman the following Tuesday.

Jordan are away to Oman on Thursday, with their West Asian rivals still very much in the running for automatic qualification.

Oman are on 10 points and victory against Jordan at the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex will take them level with their West Asian rivals.  

Kuwait, meanwhile, will host Palestine with both sides desperately needing the three points if they are to keep their hopes of advancing to the playoffs alive. 

Australia v Japan

Venue: Perth Stadium (Perth)

Kick-off: 19:10 (UTC+8)

Indonesia v China PR

Venue: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (Jakarta)

Kick-off: 20:45 (UTC+7)

Bahrain v Saudi Arabia 

Venue: Bahrain National Stadium (Riffa)

Kick-off: 19:00 (UTC+3)

Australia will hope to maximise home ground advantage when they face already-qualified Japan at the Perth Stadium.

Victory against Japan will mean Australia will go into their final matchday clash with Saudi Arabia with their fate very much in their own hands as the Socceroos look to qualify automatically for the first time in three editions.

While Tony Popovic's side can't catch Japan at the top of the standings, they go into the final two rounds of matches on 13 points, three ahead of Saudi Arabia with Indonesia a further one adrift.

Saudi Arabia travel to face Bahrain, who desperately need victory to keep their playoff hopes alive

Indonesia meet China PR, who also need to win their remaining two matches if they are to fight for the playoff spots from the group.