Saudi Arabia vs South Korea Prediction: Red Devils to rise from ruins in Al Rayyan

Two of European football's most legendary figures meet as managers at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan on Tuesday (KO, 16:00), as Roberto Mancini's Saudi Arabia side take on Jurgen Klinsmann's South Korea in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Round of 16.

Mancini won Serie A as a player and a manager (x3) before lifting the Premier League as Manchester City head coach and leading his nation to success in the 2020 European Championship.

The Italian left his homeland to take over Saudi Arabia last August, and after a four-match winless start to his reign, the 59-year-old has overseen an eight-game unbeaten run which has included six wins and seven clean sheets.

The Green Falcons topped Group F of the 2023 Asian Cup after beating Oman and Kyrgyzstan and drawing with Thailand.

It wasn't quite so easy-going for South Korea, who finished a disappointing second in Group E - behind Bahrain - after winning just once, against the eventual leaders in their opening game of the group.

A 2-2 draw with Jordan was followed by a shocking 3-3 draw with Malaysia, ranked 130 in the world by FIFA. Pressure is mounting on Jurgen Klinsmann who, despite his status as a World Cup winner with West Germany as a player, and World Cup bronze medallist with Germany as head coach in 2006, was never really wanted by fans in the first place.

Team News

Mancini made nine changes to his starting XI for Saudi Arabia's final group game and is expected to revert back to his strongest line-up on Tuesday, which should see the likes of Ali Al Bulayhi and Mohamed Kanno included, as well as Salem Al Dawsari, who has started all three matches so far.

South Korea could hand a maiden start of the tournament to Hwang Hee-chan, after the Wolves forward played his first minutes as a substitute against Malaysia last time out.

Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu remains out, though, after an ACL tear sustained in the Red Devils' first group game.

Cho Gue-Sung's spot up top is under pressure after failing to fire in any of his first three outings in Qatar.

Match Odds

Saudi Arabia are clear underdogs to win inside 90 minutes at 10/3, with South Korea favourites for victory at 8/11 and the draw - which would send the tie into extra-time - priced at 12/5.

Both teams to score on Tuesday is 10/11 and it's EVS for over 2.5 goals.

South Korea to win and both teams to score @ 11/4

We can probably expect goals in this one, given South Korea's inability to keep a clean sheet. The Red Devils shipped six goals in Group E, including three to minnows Malaysia, despite the presence of £43m Bayern Munich star Kim Min-jae in defence.

Klinsmann's side have had no trouble finding the back of the net themselves, though, firing eight so far in Qatar, and with Hwang returning to fitness, they could cause a host of problems for Mancini's men.

It could be a bit of a shoot-out between the sides, but ultimately, the likes of Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and Hwang in attack should see South Korea through to the quarter-finals, where they will meet Australia in Al Wakrah on Friday.

Lee Kang-in to score anytime @ 7/2

It's hasn't been plain sailing for South Korea, but the PSG playmaker has enjoyed a wonderful personal campaign at the Asian Cup so far, scoring three times and registering an assist.

Lee scored twice in the Red Devils' opener against Bahrain and netted an equaliser in their 3-3 draw with Malaysia.

He now has seven goals in 22 appearances for his country, and with Son seemingly struggling - the Tottenham Hotspur captain is yet to score from open play at the tournament - taking Lee to score anytime at 7/2 looks the shrewd move.

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