After a deserved 1-0 victory over Egypt in the Matchday 1 of the 2018 World Cup Group A, Uruguay is set as a massive -830 favorite by BetDSI Sportsbook to beat Saudi Arabia on this Wednesday, June 20th, 2018, at Rostov Arena in Rostov-on-Don in their second game of the group stage. Saudi Arabia was demolished by Russia 5-0 in the previous match, so the bettors could see some goals once more, as the odds on the Over/Under 3.5 Goals are set at +120/-164.
Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia
3-Way: 1: Uruguay -830; X: +900 Draw; 2: Saudi Arabia +2500 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -2.5: Uruguay +115; Saudi Arabia -130
Total +3: Over -120; Under +100
Both Teams to Score Yes/No: +162/-227
URUGUAY
Uruguay struggled to beat Egypt in the opener mostly because of Luis Suarez’s awful finishing job, but they earned a well-deserved victory in the dying minutes of the game, as the talented defender Jose Maria Gimenez scored a beautiful header from Carlos Sanchez’s cross. While the first half was pretty poor on both sides, Uruguay dominated in the second half, but Luis Suarez managed to miss a couple of excellent scoring chances, while Edinson Cavani was unlucky a few times.
However, Uruguay put on a performance that everyone has expected, so the bettors shouldn’t be surprised with a narrow victory. La Celeste’s defensive job was sturdy enough to keep the net intact, while on the other side, they have some problems to find the way through Egypt’s defensive line. In the last 20 minutes of the clash, Oscar Tabarez’s were quite dangerous in front of the Pharaohs’ keeper who also had some great saves. Matias Vecino and Giorgian Arrascaeta both had a bad day in the office, so the lack of creativity in the middle of the park is still Uruguay’s biggest issue.
SAUDI ARABIA
Another World Cup embarrassment for the Green Falcons, as they were beaten 5-0 by Russia in the opening game of the tournament. They were humiliated on the pitch, creating just one decent chance for 90 minutes, while in aerial duels Saudi’s looked like a bunch of youth amateurs. Likewise, their mistakes in the middle of the park were completely unacceptable, as they always lead to scoring opportunities on the other side, and the second goal was a result of one of those errors.
Saudi Arabia had so many troubles with physically dominant Russians, failing to link a few passes and create some kind of space in the final third. The Green Falcons obviously lack the quality to compete on the biggest stage, although they had some decent displays in the qualifying round. The manager Juan Antonio Pizzi will have to make some changes in the starting eleven, and also in his tactical setup, but I’m concerned he would be able to reverse anything.
Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia – Match and Odds Breakdown
After suffering in the opener against Russia’s physical power, the Green Falcons should perish even more against La Celeste, particularly against the striker duo Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, as both these guys are powerful players with remarkable technique. Also, Uruguay’s defense should not have any problems to record the clean sheet against puny Green Falcons, so the bookies set the odds on both teams to score at +162. If Saudi’s somehow find the net, then I think they will surely concede at least three, so wagering on the over should be a good choice.
Luis Suarez could be in a redemption mode after missing chances against Egypt, so the bettors can lay some money on him to score here while betting on Edinson Cavani also seems like a sure shot. Both Cavani and Suarez would like to break the ice at the 2018 World Cup, so I believe Uruguay would get an easy win over Saudi’s, and that is why I’m backing the spread at -2.5. I just don’t see how the Green Falcons will stop La Celeste’s frontline, even if they park the bus in front of their goalie.
The Pick: Uruguay AH -2.5 (+115)
