Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Prediction: Nunez and Valverde offer value in feature bets

| Monday 15th June 2026, 11:00

Monday 15th June 2026, 11:00

Uruguay’s 2026 FIFA World Cup bid takes flight on Monday when they face a Saudi Arabia side who caused one of the tournament’s greatest shocks in 2022. The match takes place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (6pm local, 11pm GMT, live on ITV1).

That Saudi victory over eventual champions Argentina proved futile as they were eliminated at the group stage, and the same was true of La Celeste. Below are my Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay predictions, along with the latest team news and Betfred’s match odds.

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Betting Tips

Darwin Nunez 3+ Shots on Target (Sub Switch) @ 15/4
Price Boost: Federico Valverde 1+ Shot on Target, 1+ Foul Committed, 1+ Foul Won, 1+ Tackle @ 7/2 4/1

*odds correct at time of publishing

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Team News

Saudi Arabia boss Georgios Donis can choose from 25 of his 26-player squad, with just a single injury concern for their opener.

Back-up goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi is set to miss out with a muscle issue, with experienced 34-year-old Mohammed Al-Owais likely to add to his 65 caps with another start.

Uruguay could be without a string of key players in game one, with Ronald Araujo and Giorgian de Arrascaeta both carrying calf injuries, Jose Gimenez suffering an ankle knock and Matias Vina troubled by a muscle issue.

The hope is that Sebastian Caceres overcomes a head injury to start at centre-back for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Predicted Lineups

Saudi Arabia: Al-Owais; Abdulhamid, Al Tambakti, Lajami, Bu; Kanno, Al-Khaibari; N Al-Dawsari, Al-Juwayr, S Al-Dawsari; Al-Buraikan
Uruguay: Muslera; Varela, Caceres, Bueno, Olivera; Valverde, Ugarte; M Araujo, Bentancur, Canobbio; Nunez

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Odds

Uruguay are well backed to win this one, with Betfred installing them as 4/9 favouries. Saudi Arabia are 13/2 for the victory, with the draw at 16/5.

Darwin Nunez is the favourite to score first at 10/3, while you can back him to score at any time at 21/20. That latter pick comes with the extra value of Betfred’s Sub Switch, so if your player goes off the bet carries on.

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Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Stats

Uruguay have won just 1 of their last 8 World Cup opening fixtures (v Egypt in 2018)
Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 win over Argentina in 2022 was their first in an opening group game and 1 of just 4 in 19 World Cup finals matches
Darwin Nunez averaged 1.66 Shots on Target per 90 in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal in 2025/26, and registered 3 or more on 3 occasions

Darwin Nunez 3+ Shots on Target (Sub Switch) @ 15/4

Nunez will shoot from anywhere if he thinks he has even half a chance of scoring.

In his Premier League days with Liverpool he was as notorious for testing keepers from all ranges as he was for missing gilt-edged chances.

Against one of the group outsiders, I fancy him to pepper the goal with attempts. And with Betfred’s Sub Switch feature, we get to keep counting those Shots on Target with his replacement should he be replaced before the final whistle.

Thanks to Betfred's new Sub Switch promo, if your chosen player is substituted at any point in the match, your selection is switched to his replacement.

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay - Player 3+ Shots On Target (Sub Switch)

Darwin Nunez

15/4

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

Federico Valverde 1+ Shot on Target, 1+ Foul Committed, 1+ Foul Won, 1+ Tackle @ 7/2 4/1

To call Fede Valverde ‘all action’ is an understatement, and I think that’s the reasoning behind Betfred’s traders coming up with this Price Boost.

The Real Madrid midfielder is a prime candidate for attempts from range, while he’s going to be involved in a large percentage of the battles in the heart of the field. That’s just his way.

He won 25 tackles in 30.4 90s for Madrid in La Liga this season and was involved in 32 fouls for and against.

Giving the increased intensity of a World Cup game, I love the 4/1 about him ticking all these boxes at an implied probability of 20%

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay - Price Boosts

Federico Valverde Special

4/1

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Score Prediction

Saudi Arabia 1-2 Uruguay @ 8/1

Like the bookies, I have the South American side as favourites, but this should be a whole lot closer than the 4/9 outright odds suggest (69.2% probability).

I think there’s as much chance of Uruguay falling apart pretty quickly as this is of them going deep. I certainly don’t expect them to make the semi-finals for just a second time in 56 years.

And while none of that will be decided in Miami on Monday, I reckon we see an unconvincing but ultimately triumphant Uruguay performance.

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay - Correct Score

Uruguay 2-1

8/1

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

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.

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