For the third time in a row, India and Iran are set to face off in the final of the Kabaddi World Cup. Having beaten Iran in the two previous finals, India go in as favourites in Saturdays encounter.India vs. Iran - The story so farIndia and Iran have faced each other in the previous two editions of the Kabaddi World Cup in 2004 and 2007. While India have won both, Iran have gradually shown improvement in their performance over the years. Iran nearly upset India at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, where they lost the final by a 2-point margin (27-25) to settle for silver.India have not lost a single edition of the World Cup or Asian Games thus far, while Iran have majorly settled for the runners-up or the third position.In this years tournament, Iran entered the semis with four wins and a loss in the group stage, just like India. However, they managed to defeat South Korea - the team that had defeated India in their opening match - thereby ensuring a close battle in the final.StrengthsIndia have been a strong side overall, showing their dominance in five out of six games that they have played thus far.In defence, Surender Nada and Mohit Chhillar have been solid in the left and right corner respectively. The pair that executed several successful tackles during the Pro Kabaddi League as a part of the Bengaluru Bulls team has proven to be a strong combination for the national team as well. In attack, top raider Ajay Thakur and Pardeep Narwal have been consistent and their form would be key in the final.For Iran, Fazal Atrachalis swiftness and agility can bring stability to the defence, which is also strengthened by Abozar Mighani, who provided four well-timed tackles against South Korea. Raiders Meraj Sheykh and Gholamabbas Korouki, with their flexibility and tactical awareness, would also prove to be crucial.WeaknessesIndia have have struggled to maintain momentum in the final stages of some games. They conceded several points in the last few moments against South Korea, which cost them the game. The only thing that could work against them in the final is complacency.Iran, on the other hand, have lacked consistency. Throughout the season, they have seen wins, but close ones. There have not been too many dominant victories from their side, at least going by the scorelines. The team has been better in defence than in attack. While playing to their strengths is the safer strategy, it could also backfire against an experienced Indian side.The favouritesWhile Iran were at their best against South Korea in the semifinal, showcasing why they have been one of the top contenders of the World Cup defeating the team that defeated India, it is India who have shown more consistency in terms of dominant victories, attacks and defence.What the finalists saidIt is going to be an easy victory for us. We are here to win the trophy, no matter what, no matter how strong our opponents are. It is all ours. - Iran captain Meraj SheykhWe will do whatever it takes to keep the trophy in my country. Weve came here to play and we will keep playing till we win, irrespective of who we compete with. - India captain Anup Kumar. 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Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Barry Odom didnt want to abandon the system that Gary Pinkel used at Missouri to produce two Southeastern Conference East Division titles in the past three seasons.So when Odom takes the field for the first time Saturday as the Tigers head coach at West Virginia, Pinkels influence will still be felt.It would be foolish to not stick with a lot of the things that coach has built a foundation here on, said Odom, who served on Pinkels staff for 10 years, including the 2015 season as defensive coordinator.Behind sophomore quarterback Drew Lock, Missouri is trying to rebound from a 5-7 season a year ago. Lock completed just 49 percent of his passes with eight interceptions in eight games.Missouri started with three straight wins. But starting quarterback Maty Mauk was suspended before the fifth game and eventually booted from the team.On-campus protests over the administrations handling of racial and student welfare issues led to Missouri players threatening to boycott a game in November, the same month Pinkel announced he would retire after the season to fight non-Hodgkin lymphoma.While Odom is making his debut, Dana Holgorsen starts his sixth season at West Virginia hoping it wont be his last.West Virginia reached eight wins a year ago for the first time since 2011, when the Mountaineers went 10-3 in Holgorsens first season. But he has gone 26-25 since, including 15-21 since joining the Big 12 in 2012.Hes entering the fifth year of a six-year contract and fans want production now.Holgorsen hasnt publicly discussed his job security. He said what keeps him up at night is preparing for this years opening opponent based on watching film from last season.Theres only so much time in the day that you can have to be able to figure out what they do, Holgorsen said.It marks the first timme since 1996 that Missouri starts the season on the road.dddddddddddd---Some other things to know in the sixth- meeting between Missouri and West Virginia:TRANSFER ROSS: Alex Ross joins Missouri this season as a graduate transfer from Oklahoma and returns to Morgantown where he gave the Mountaineers fits in 2014, scoring on a 100-yard kickoff return for the Sooners. Missouri ranked dead last in the Bowl Subdivision in kickoff returns a year ago at 15.1 yards per attempt. Ross also shores up a backfield that was last in the SEC at 115 rushing yards per game.NEW COORDINATORS: Josh Heupel takes over as Missouris offensive coordinator. Heupel spent last season at Utah State and helped mentor Heisman Trophy winners Jason White and Sam Bradford at Oklahoma. Joe Wickline is now handling the offense for West Virginia after having the same job at Texas.WEST VIRGINIA D: The Mountaineers have nine new starters on defense. But Holgorsen points out the unit has plenty of playing experience. All 11 starters are juniors or seniors.KICKER SIDELINED: West Virginia placekicker Josh Lambert, a Lou Groza Award finalist in 2014, sat out spring practice and is serving a three-game suspension for an undisclosed violation of Big 12 eligibility rules. He tied for the Big 12 lead a year ago with 17 field goals. Mike Molina, who handled kickoffs in three games last year, will temporarily fill in.ODOM THE PLAYER: Odom started at inside linebacker for the Tigers when they beat West Virginia in the 1998 Insight.com Bowl. Thats the last time the teams met. He graduated in 1999 and is seventh in school history in career tackles with 362.---AP college football website: http://collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '