Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia Preview, Tips and Betting Predictions
This match is over.
Final score: Uruguay 1-0 Saudi Arabia
For the match – Uruguay vs Russia.
For the match – Saudi Arabia vs Egypt.
20th June 2018 – 16:00 GMT
Group A
Rostov Arena stadium
TV: BBC
Uruguay 3/19 | Draw 13/2 | Saudi Arabia 81/4
Uruguay looked out of sorts against Egypt but they still escaped with all three points. A late set-piece proved enough to open their 2018 World Cup campaign with a victory and they’ll be expected to make it a perfect six points from six when they face Saudi Arabia in Rostov.
Saudi Arabia started positively but collapsed under pressure from Russia. They showed plenty of promise going forward but their defending left a lot to be desired and they must tighten up here. Despite being largely anonymous in the opening game, Cavani and Suarez are always a threat and Saudi Arabia cannot afford to leave them unmarked.
Uruguay shouldn’t have any problems winning this game and can be backed at 1/8 with Bet365. They can be backed at Evens on the -2 handicap and will be extremely popular in this market.
Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia Preview
Group A appears to be going to plan so far with Russia and Uruguay dominating this section. The South American side began the tournament as dark horses for the title but they were far from convincing during their opening encounter and will need to drastically improve if they are to progress to the latter stages. They shouldn’t need to get out of first gear to beat Saudi Arabia who fell short of the required standard during their opening defeat to Russia.
Saudi Arabia will be aiming to avoid a similarly embarrassing scoreline in this game. Uruguay trail Russia on goal difference and will see this as the perfect opportunity to bag a few goals.
Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia Score Prediction
Saudi Arabia look far from assured at the back and Uruguay should carve out plenty of opportunities here. 3-0 Uruguay is the most likely outcome and can be backed at 11/2 with Bet365. It’s the same price for a 2-0 scoreline which looks a decent option should Jose Pekerman’s side fail to get out of first gear.
Over/Under Prediction
Russia knocked five past Saudi Arabia although two of those goals came late in the game. Saudi Arabia are likely to have learnt lessons from that performance and are unlikely to approach this game with such a gung-ho attitude. They won’t prevent Uruguay getting on the score-sheet but it’s unlikely to be a complete whitewash. The South American outfit should score at least three and Over 2.5 Goals is available at 8/15 with 10Bet.
Both Teams to Score Prediction
Saudi Arabia looked useful down the left hand side but it’s difficult to see them finding a way past the Uruguayan defence which is marshalled by the imperious Diego Godin. 888Sport have Both Teams to Score? No at 7/17 and that looks a fairly safe bet.
Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia Odds
Statistics
- Diego Godin is set to play in his 11th World Cup match, making him the joint third highest capped player in this competition for Uruguay
- Uruguay have won their second group match in each of the last two World Cups
- Each of Uruguay’s last two goals at World Cups have all come from central defenders
- Prior to 2018, Saudi Arabia has conceded 32 World Cup goals in their last 12 games at the tournament
- Uruguay to score 4+ goals in this game is 2/1 with 888Sport
World Cup Qualifiers
Uruguay
Top Goalscorers
Edinson Cavani – 10 Goals – 28/1 with 10Bet to finish as the World Cup top goalscorer
Luis Suarez – 5 Goals – 25/1 with 10Bet to finish as the World Cup top goalscorer
Saudi Arabia
Nawaf Al Abed – 5 Goals
Lineups
Uruguay:
Goalkeepers – Martin Silva, Fernando Muslera, Martin Campana
Defenders – Diego Godin, Sebastian Coates, Jose Maria Gimenez, Gaston Silva, Martin Caceres, Guillermo Varela, Maximiliano Pereira
Midfielders – Lucas Torreira, Matias Vecino, Federico Valverde, Nahitan Nandez, Rodrigo Bentacur, Carlos Sanchez, Diego Laxalt, Cristian Rodriguez, Nicolas Lodeiro, Gaston Ramirez, Giorgian De Arrascaeta.
Forwards – Cristhian Stuani, Maximiliano Gomez, Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani.
Saudi Arabia:
Goalkeepers – Assaf Al-Qarny, Mohammed Al-Owais, Yasser Al-Musailem
Defenders – Mansoor Al-Harbi, Yasser Al-Shahrani, Mohammed Al-Breik, Saeed Al-Mowalad, Motaz Hawsawi, Osama Hawsawi, Omar Hawsawi, Mohammed Jahfali, Ali Al-Bulaihi.
Midfielders – Abdullah Al-Kharibari, Abdulmalek Al-Khaibri, Abdullah Otayf, Taiseer Al-Jassim, Houssain Al-Mogahwi, Salman Al-Faraj, Nawaf Al-Abed, Mohamed Kanno, Hattan Bahebri, Mohammed Al-Kwikbi, Salem Al-Dawsari, Yehya Al-Shehri.
Forwards – Fahad Al-Muwallad, Mohammad Al-Sahlawi, Muhannad Assiri.
UruguayvsSaudi Arabia
(Group A)
16:00 – Rostov-on-Don Stadium
Uruguay 3/19 | Draw 13/2 | Saudi Arabia 81/4