Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Bet Builder Tips: No shocks this time for Saudi

Group H at the World Cup features 2010 champions Spain and minnows Cape Verde, so the crunch game in the race for second place is Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay on Monday (6pm local, 11pm BST, ITV1)

This one comes from the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and below you can find my Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Bet Builder Tips.

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Odds

Uruguay to win and BTTS No

There will be a lot of intrigue surrounding Saudi Arabia’s first game, given they stunned eventual champions Argentina four years ago in their opener. However, things have gone pretty poorly since then in truth, and qualifying for this World Cup was a struggle. 

They wouldn’t have made it had the tournament not been extended to 48 teams, beating Indonesia 3-2 and drawing 0-0 with Iraq in their final group to make it on goals scored. This will remarkably be Giorgios Donis’ first competitive game as head coach after Herve Renard was fired in mid-April. The timing of the sacking, two months before the tournament, has been heavily criticised but the decision is probably correct given how poor Saudi Arabia were in qualifying. 

It seems unlikely that they will cause a shock against Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay. The manager was being questioned after a 5-1 defeat to USA, but they recently drew 1-1 with England and have quality littered throughout their squad.

A midfield of Manuel Ugarte, Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur is well-balanced, while Darwin Nunez will be relied upon for goals with the Luis Suarez x Edinson Cavani era now over. 

Uruguay should win this game fairly comfortably, and I’ll back them to keep a clean sheet in the process. They only conceded 12 in 18 qualifiers, and Saudi Arabia will still be getting used to life under their new boss. 

Federico Valverde to score (Sub Switch)

The Real Madrid captain has had quite the year after his argument with Aurelien Tchouameni, but there is no doubt he is one of the best midfielders in the world. Arguably at his peak at 27, he will lead his nation into this World Cup, and should have licence to roam in midfield. 

Nine goals and 13 assists in all competitions for his club side was impressive, and he looks like he has kicked on tremendously since his first showing at a World Cup in 2022. I’m expecting big things from him, and he is the value pick to find the net for Uruguay, with Nunez slightly off the boil up top.

Betfred’s Sub Switch rolls your bet to the oncoming substitute, so you stay in the game, even when your player doesn't.

Abdullah Al-Khaibari to be booked (Sub Switch)

Let’s finish by backing a Saudi Arabia midfielder to get booked, and Abdullah Al-Khaibari is my selection. The Al Nassr man should feature heavily for his nation in North America, and is going to be extremely busy attempting to deal with the aforementioned Uruguayan midfield trio.

Al-Khaibari picked up five yellows in the Saudi Pro League, but I think he will have to be even more destructive against Uruguay. 

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Sub Switch

Pre-Match Bet Builder & Single bets on qualifying Player selections. Selected leagues & markets only. Applies to Price Boosts & Turbo Boosts. Extra-time will count. T&Cs Apply.

Sub Switch

Pre-Match Bet Builder & Single bets on qualifying Player selections. Selected leagues & markets only. Applies to Price Boosts & Turbo Boosts. Extra-time will count. T&Cs Apply.