FIFA World Cup Group A Prediction - Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia 

The second week of World Cup matches are officially in full effect, with many of the International heavyweights failing to collect all three points during their opening fixtures, the opportunity for redemption is now the ultimate goal.

Wednesday presents a full docket of potential title contenders, with European sides Portugal and Spain both heading back to the pitch after one of the more memorable opening group matches in recent history. While Uruguay, who narrowly escaped with a victory against Egypt in the dying moments, are determined to have a better showing than their match day one affair.

Enjoy another match day of the largest International football tournament in the world, with another week of potential upsets, many may be surprised by the final outcomes and the positions of their teams in the group table.

62004 Uruguay vs 62005 Saudi Arabia 

Rostov Arena, Rostov. Russia

6-20-2018 - 11:00 am ET 

The second match in Group A takes place at the sparkling Rostov Arena, with the 'Green Falcons' of Saudi Arabia looking to redeem themselves from a match day one pummeling, while the 'Sky Blues' of Uruguay are content on cleaning up their performance, after several uncharacteristic misses in front of goal.

Uruguay entered the group as the prohibited favorites, and after a narrow victory against Egypt on match day two, 'La Celeste' now sit second in table to Russia who accumulated a large goal differential against Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Óscar Tabárez is the true elder statesman among managers in the tournament, the 71 year old has been responsible for a terrific run of from while at the head of the Uruguay national team.  Tabárez took over in 2006 after his beloved national team had only made one World Cup appearance in the previous sixteen years, but since his arrival the tiny nation picked up both a fourth place and Round of 16 finish.

The experienced sideline general is now set on advancing out of the group stage for a third consecutive appearance, with a victory on Wednesday his Uruguay side would sit in a dominating position to obtain that goal.

Tabárez will likely hold no punches back while in Rostov, knowing the goal differential between them and hosts Russia is substantial, there should be added motivation to make up the gap heading into the final match in group play.

The Uruguayans are obviously a talented side who failed to show their true class while sharing the pitch with the Pharaohs, although the potent attack racked up 15 shots in total, the Sky Blues failed to take advantage of those opportunities, missing several point-blank chances in front of goal.

Luis Suarez took the brunt of the public backlash after personally under-performing to his high expectations, but the South American danger man is sure to rebound against a shaky Saudi Arabia defense, who allowed five goals in their 2018 debut.

Suarez benefits from the ultimate support, with strike partner Edinson Cavani sharing the opposite forward position in Uruguay's 4-4-2 formation. This star-studded duo will certainly be licking their chops at the opportunity to hit the back of the net, backing either as Anytime Goal Scorers is a wise Investment going into this specific fixture. 

The supporting cast will also play instrumental roles in the overall success on Wednesday. Giorgian de Arrascaeta generally sets the tone in the middle of the pitch, the Uruguayan attacking midfielder is highly skilled with ball at his fee, giving him the ability to break down defenses with his technical dribbling abilities, while using a powerful hold up game to spring his fellow front-line players open for searching through balls, and place precise crosses on a string for his trigger-men to take advantage of. 

Central Defenders Diego Godín and game one hero José Giménez are also both integral parts to the all-around success of this Sky Blue side, providing invaluable support in the spine of the Uruguay defense, this duo also add an extra dimension in set piece situations. Both Atletico Madrid men are highly effective while in the Air, making like difficult on their fellow defenders in the box. 

The goal tending duties are certainly a strength of this squad as well, with Fernando Muslera handing the responsibilities between the sticks. The Galatasaray man is full of experience having made his third straight appearance with the squad, Muslera is often over-looked with the star-power on the team, but his contributions are vital for a sustained run while in Russia.

Uruguay had a highly successful South American qualifying campaign, scoring an average of 1.8 Goals per match, during their last 18 CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying fixtures.

La Celeste were vulnerable at times on the back-end of the pitch, conceding an average of 1.1 Goals per match, during their last 18 CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying fixtures.

Saudi Arabia have had a whirl wind couple of days, after being overwhelmed in their opening match against Russia, the 'Green Falcons'  then experienced a frighting moment with their flight to Rostov. Now the Saudi's must turn their attention to a a powerful Uruguayan team, who will certainly be in the mood to grab all three points.

Juan Antonio Pizzi was certainly outmatched during his first World Cup match with the Green Falcons, despite a heavy amount of possession his team was unable to create any real problems against the Russians to start the FIFA competition. Pizzi must now re-group and get his middle eastern side ready to perform, and fight for their International lives as a loss would surely eliminate them.

The Saudi formation has seen quite a few changes over the past year, after Bert van Marwijk was sacked shortly after guiding the side through qualifiers, Pizzi was inserted and instituted his versions of a 4-3-3 - 4-1-4-1 formation, requesting that his players pressure high and look to flood their opponents side of the pitch with attacking options, and create easy goal scoring options on a regular basis. 

The Saudi Arabia plan of attack failed to provide a goal, and moving forward it could be more of a challenge to hit the back of the than previously expected. Fahad Al Muwallad will look to change that as he is expected to get the call in the number nine position, the Levante danger man is truly capable of turning the Green Falcons fortunes around, although he has had limited club minutes during the 2017-2018 campaign, he stands in line to get his chance to impress future clubs for the upcoming season.

There were few bright spots during last Thursday's fixture, but Salem Al Dawsar did show glimpses of his quality which earned him a spot with La Liga side Villarreal, the pacey winger will once again be called upon to create some-sort of problems for the Uruguay back-end, and hopefully provide a spark for this lethargic attack.

Abdullah Al-Mayoof could be the most important man on the pitch for the Saudi's, the Green Falcons goal-keeper will certainly see a barrage of shots on goal, and will be called into action to keep the Sky Blues off the score-board.  Al-Mayoof may be in for a long day at the office, but he will ask alot of his back-line players to help close off space in front of goal, while depending on the offense to retain possession and help offset a potential onslaught. 

Saudi Arabia were efficient in front of goal in route too Russia, scoring an average of 1.7 Goals per match, during their last 10 Asian World Cup Qualifying fixtures.

The Green Falcons showed their difficulties in keeping clean sheets, conceding an average of 1 Goal per match, during their last 10 Asian World Cup Qualifying fixtures.

Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia Match Prediction:

Uruguay will certainly have watched Russia's recent performance, knowing they know sit in a -6 goal differential after the host put the Egyptians away by a score-line of 3-1. The Sky Blues understand the importance of topping the group, you would expect to see a concerted effort to make up a hefty amount of that total heading into the final match in group play.

Saudi Arabia are fighting for their World Cup lives, with Egypt losing for the second time in as many matches, the Green Falcons now sit in a positive spot to claim two victories, and have a shot of shocking the world with a advancement to the Round of 16.

Expect a uptempo pace in this particular event, with each side looking to push the pace with a ball possession style of play, we should see plenty of shots created on goal, as both realize the importance of grabbing all three points heading into the final match of Group A.

*World Cup Premium Tips - 4-0-0

Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia - Premium Tip