Iraq and Uganda will continue their preparations for a return to competitive action when they trade tackles in an international friendly on Friday.This will be Iraq's first game since their 3-0 defeat to Qatar in Group A of the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup in December. Three goals in the final eight minutes helped the Maroons secure all three points.Uganda showed great determination to claw back from a two-goal deficit and secure a 3-2 victory against Moldova in a friendly on Tuesday. Patrick Kaddu starred with a brace from the penalty spot to inspire the win for the East Africans.Uganda Cranes@UgandaCranesFT4:59 AM · Jan 18, 202271078FT https://t.co/0PqzKPPVhEThe Cranes will next be in action when they take on Bahrain in another friendly next week.This friendly match will be used to launch the brand new Al-Madina Stadium, a 32-000 capacity Stadium and the first Iraqi stadium to use solar energy.Iraq vs Uganda Head-to-HeadThis will be the fourth meeting between the two sides and Uganda are yet to win a game against their Asian counterparts. The Lions of Mesopotamia have one win to their name, while one match in the past ended in a share of the spoils.Their most recent meeting came in a 2-2 friendly fixture played in August 2021.Iraq form guide: L-D-D-L-DUganda form guide: W-D-W-L-DIraq vs Uganda Team NewsIraq Coach Zeljko Petrovic called up 21 players to dispute the game against Uganda. The squad is headlined by experienced defender Ahmed Ibrahim. Yaser Kasim and Ahmed Fadhel have been ruled out with ankle and muscle injuries respectively.Injuries: Ahmed Fadhel, Yaser KasimSuspension: NoneSoccer Iraq@SoccerIraq BREAKING: Saad Abdul-Amir is set to return to the national team after being called up by Petrović.The former #Iraq captain has been out of the team since late 2018. 🦁8:57 AM · Jan 18, 2022312🚨 BREAKING: Saad Abdul-Amir is set to return to the national team after being called up by Petrović.The former #Iraq captain has been out of the team since late 2018. 🦁 https://t.co/XbizN0IvUpUgandaByarushanga Bobosi was substituted in the first half against Moldova and is unlikely to feature.Injury: Byarushanga BobosiSuspension: NoneIraq vs Uganda Predicted XIIraq Predicted XI (4-4-2): Fahad Talib (GK); Ahmed Ibrahim, Manaf Younis, Sameh Saeed, Hassan Raed; Hussein Ali, Sajad Jassim, Mohammed Ali Abbood, Ahmed Farhan; Sherko Karim, Alaa AbbasUganda Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ismail Watenga (GK); Halid Lwaliwa, Aziz Kayondo, Enock Walusimbi, Gavin Kizito; Bright Anukani, Martin Kizza, George Kasonko; Milton Karisa, Yunus Sentamu, Patrick KadduIraq vs Uganda PredictionNeither of the two sides is famed for their attacking prowess and we expect this match to be a low-scoring encounter.The defense is likely to come out top in the game and it is difficult to see where goals will come from. Home advantage could count in Iraq's favor, so we are backing the Asians to secure a narrow victory.Prediction: Iraq 1-0 Uganda