2018 World Cup Odds, Prediction: Saudi Arabia Team Betting Preview

Saudi Arabia is back in the World Cup for the first time since 2006. However, it should be a short trip as they don’t have the talent to compete, even in a weak group like Group A.

2018 World Cup Russia Betting Odds

-1000 to advance past Group stage

World Cup Betting Odds: +83200 to win World Cup

2 World Cup Wins/Best World Cup finish: 12th (1994)

FIFA world ranking: 67

Manager: Juan Antonio Pizzi

Captain: Osama Hawsawi

Saudi Arabia Players to watch

Yahya Al-Shehri is one of three players currently plying their trade outside of Saudi Arabia. He went to Leganes on loan this season, and things didn’t work out for the attacking midfielder. He hasn’t played a lot which is worrying that Al-Shehri can’t get time for Leganes. It could also affect his fitness. Al-Shehri’s playmaking is going to be big for striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi, who has scored 28 goals for his country.

Saudi Arabia World Cup Formation and projected starting 11

– Formation: 4-2-3-1
– Goalkeeper: Yasser Al Mosailem
– Defense: Yasser Al-Shahrani, Osama Hawsawi, Omar Hawsawi, Mansoor Al-Harbi
– Midfield: Fahad Al-Muwallad, Abdullah Otayf, Yahya Al-Shehri, Taisir Al-Jassim, Salem Al-Dawsari
– Forwards: Mohammad Al-Sahlawi

Saudi Arabia Strengths

It is going to have to be strength in numbers for Saudi Arabia. Most of these players play in the Saudi Premier League, either together or against each other. At least the players know one another, so that can help them, especially defensively. The duo of Al-Shehri and Al-Sahlawi could be a surprise if everything goes right. They do need everything to go right, though.

Saudi Arabia Weaknesses

While this team is very familiar with each other, they just don’t have enough talent to shock anyone at the World Cup. Also, Juan Antonio Pizzi is their third manager in less than a year. The team has been working hard to implement his system and it might pay off in 2022 in Qatar. However, it won’t mean much in Russia.

Saudi Arabia News

Expectations are very low in Saudi Arabia and for good reason. Qualifying for the World Cup was already a win for this team. They have their eye on the Qatar 2022 when they can possibly make some noise if there are favorable matchups.

Saudi Arabia World Cup Betting prediction

The best-case scenario for Saudi Arabia is that they can manage to get a point at the World Cup. A draw would mean everything. A win would send the country into hysterics. Their odds to win the World Cup are listed at +83200, which still might be too good for them. Their World Cup odds to qualify for the next round aren’t worth taking, either.

In terms of team props, Al-Sahlawi is valued at +50000 to win the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals. No Saudi Arabia player is valued to win the Golden Ball as best player. We’re talking about some very extremely unlikely scenarios here.

They are going to dig in their heels, play defense (and for draws) and hope to catch a team on the counterattack. That is their best chance for success. Even still, they’re probably going to finish at the bottom of Group A – even though it’s one of the weaker groups at the 2018 World Cup.