FIFA World Cup
World Cup 2018: Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia Preview
Rostov, Russia – Uruguay and Luis Suarez look to stay toe-to-toe with Russia in Group A when they take on Saudi Arabia. The Barcelona striker is looking to cement his history in World Cup appearances for Los Charruas but has yet to score a goal.
Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia comes into this game having received five goals against hosts Russia. Russia, who yesterday placed themselves on first place of Group A after defeating Egypt. The two-headed dragon that is Suarez and Edinson Cavani will complicate their situation and any chances of getting to the Round of 16.
However, the bright side for Saudis is that they have never lost to Uruguay. The Saudis won a friendly match in 2002 and draw a second friendly in 2014. Then again, they have never met at the World Cup.
Team Forms:
“We need to keep a cool head,” defender Jose Gimenez, who scored in the 89th minute against Egypt, told reporters (via Reuters). “We know that any game here is very hard, and we need to think of it that way.
Oscar Tabarez’s side are heavy favorites to win the contention. However, Saudi Arabia would like to end a win-less run at the tournament that stretches back to USA 1994. At that event they beat Belgium with a solo goal from Saeed Al-Owairan.
For this reason, coach Juan Antonio Pizzi has been mulling over shaking up the starting eleven to shore up the defense and have a deeper threat with counter attacks.
Nevertheless, Suarez will be making his 100th cap for Uruguay while racking up 51 international goals. He is Uruguay’s all-time top scorer.
Possible Line-ups:
Uruguay: Fernando Muslera; Guillermo Varela, Jose Maria Gimenez, Diego Godin, Martin Caceres; Nahitan Nandez, Matias Vecino, Rodrigo Bentancur, Cristian Rodriguez; Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani
Saudi Arabia: Mohammed Alowais; Mohammed Alburayk, Osama Hawsawi, Ali Albulayhi, Yasser Alshahrani; Salem Aldawsari, Abdullah Otayf, Salman Alfaraj, Taiseer Aljassam, Yahia Alshehri; Fahad Almuwallad
Prediction:
Should Uruguay win, they would be winning their opening two matches of a World Cup for the first time since 1954. The two time-champions have won all three of their previous World Cup games against Asian opponents. With Suarez and Cavani hungry for scoring, it will be difficult for the Green Falcons to keep a clean sheet. Unfortunately for them, they have not been able to keep a clean sheet in their last 14 World Cup games, conceding 37 goals during that spell. Uruguay have the upper-hand will come out successful from this match.
Prediction: Uruguay 3 – 0 Saudi Arabia
