Iran has won 16 of the previous 20 international matches with the UAE. The only defeat was a 3-1 loss in a friendly match in Abu Dhabi in September 1997.
Team Melli has won seven international matches in a row against the United Arab Emirates since a 1-1 draw in a World Cup qualifying encounter in Dubai in November 2008.
Iran has been unbeaten in its last 13 World Cup qualifying matches.
The United Arab Emirates has lost only two of its previous 12 matches in the current World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Emirati team has kept six clean sheets in its previous 12 matches in the current World Cup qualifying campaign.
Iran and the UAE will face off in Group A on Thursday.