Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay Prediction
Uruguay gutted out a victory in its Group A opener in the 2018 World Cup, while Saudi Arabia was thoroughly embarrassed in its first match. Will Uruguay ease to a victory or will Saudi Arabia manage to shock the soccer world?
Game Snapshot
97854 Saudi Arabia vs. 97855 Uruguay
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Rostov Arena at 11AM ET
TV: FOX
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, Uruguay is a -550 favorite to win on the moneyline. Saudi Arabia is a +1500 underdog, while a draw is set at +575. The over-under is set at 3 goals.
Saudi Arabia looks to be more competitive
In a 5-0 loss to tournament host Russia to begin the World Cup, Saudia Arabia looked lackluster and without much of a game plan. In the loss, Saudi Arabia did not record a shot on goal and seemed overmatched from very early on. Russia scored in the 12th and 43rd minute to go ahead 2-0 at halftime, while after halftime it added three more goals to add salt to the wounds. Saudi Arabia is ranked 67th in the world by FIFA and it looked every part of a team that should be lucky to just be in the field.
Uruguay squeaks out win
As the overwhelming favorite in Group A, the first match by Uruguay in the World Cup was anything but easy as a goal by Jose Gimenez lifted it to a 1-0 victory over Egypt. Uruguay held 58 percent of the possession in the contest, but only managed three shots on goal. In the end, Uruguay withstood a physical game from an Egyptian side that committed 12 fouls compared to six for the winners. Uruguay goalie Fernando Muslera stopped all five shots sent his way in the winning effort.
Prediction:
The only bets that are really on the table here for me are the -2 goal line for Uruguay and the over-under. Considering an overachieving and ultimately mediocre Russia squad put a five-goal beatdown on Saudia Arabia, it is entirely plausible Uruguay wins by two goals if not three or more. Egypt is competent in the back end for the most part, Saudi Arabia is not. Go with Uruguay by multiple goals here.
WORLD CUP DAILY PREDICTION: URUGUAY GL -2 (-105)