Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Tips, Predictions & 12/1 Bet Builder
Will Jackson
Uruguay get their World Cup going in Miami tonight, and on paper this is the kind of opener Marcelo Bielsa would have circled as a chance to start with three points and a clean sheet.
Saudi Arabia are the outsiders in Group H, but they are also the side that walked into Qatar four years ago and beat Argentina, so writing them off completely could be dangerous.
The market has made its mind up, mind you.
Uruguay are odds-on to win this, and the question is less about who comes out on top and more about how they get there.
Let’s take a look at the best betting tips and free bet offers for Monday’s clash as Uruguay aim to get off to a winning start.
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Tips
Here are our top three World Cup betting tips and the best free bets ahead of today's game.
Tip 1: Uruguay to win & both teams to score
Saudi Arabia may be outsiders, but they have shown enough going forward to suggest they can play their part in the scoring.
Ahead of their final warm-up fixture against Senegal, Herve Renard's side have found the net in each of their last three matches, including a respectable 2-1 defeat to Ecuador, a team renowned for its defensive organisation.
Uruguay should still have too much quality overall and remain strong favourites to collect all three points, but they have not been entirely watertight at the back, conceding in three of their last five outings.
With Saudi Arabia carrying a threat on the counter-attack and Uruguay expected to dominate possession, a Uruguay win with goals at both ends appeals as a stronger betting angle than backing the South Americans outright.
Tip 2: Darwin Nunez to score
If Uruguay are going to find a way through, Darwin Nunez looks the most likely player to provide the breakthrough.
The Liverpool striker remains the focal point of Uruguay's attack and is often the player on the end of their best opportunities. His pace, movement and physical presence make him a difficult opponent for any defence, particularly one expected to spend most of the evening inside its own half.
Saudi Arabia may keep things compact early on, but chances should eventually arrive, and Nunez is the player most likely to convert them.
Tip 3: Uruguay to win, Darwin Nunez to score, Darwin Nunez 3+ shots on target, under 3.5 goals
Uruguay should have enough quality to secure victory, but Saudi Arabia are usually well organised under Herve Renard and are unlikely to allow the game to turn into a rout.
The Middle Eastern side will likely sit deep, stay compact and look to frustrate for as long as possible, making a controlled Uruguay win the most likely outcome.
Darwin Nunez is expected to play a leading role if the favourites get the job done. The Liverpool forward remains Uruguay's primary attacking threat and should be on the end of plenty of chances if Marcelo Bielsa's side dominate possession and territory as anticipated.
Nunez to register 3+ shots on target is a leg that fits perfectly with that outlook. Few forwards are as willing to pull the trigger, and the Uruguayan has built a reputation for testing goalkeepers from all angles and distances.
Against a side expected to spend much of the game defending its own penalty area, he should have every opportunity to rack up efforts on target.
The final piece of the Bet Builder is under 3.5 goals.
While Uruguay are rightly favourites, Saudi Arabia's defensive approach should help keep the scoreline respectable.
A 1-0, 2-0 or even 2-1 Uruguay victory would comfortably land this leg, and those scorelines look far more likely than a high-scoring encounter.
With Uruguay expected to control the contest, Nunez likely to be heavily involved in front of goal and Saudi Arabia capable of keeping the score down, all four selections work together to create an appealing Bet Builder for this Group H opener.
Other World Cup Offers
Alongside our Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay predictions and betting tips, you can also find the latest prices from the top World Cup betting sites on several games.
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Where to Watch Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay
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