Having watched Russia and Egypt battle it out in their second fixture of Group A, Wednesday sees the turn of Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
Uruguay started the 2018 World Cup as many peoples’ dark horses to go far in the tournament and this is the sort of match they should win comfortably if they are to progress. A win in this game could be enough to secure Uruguay a place in the Round of 16.
Saudi Arabia have left themselves with a lot of work to do if they are to make the second round of the World Cup. They must win both their remaining matches to have a good chance of making it and come into this game as the underdog.
Having picked up 3 points from their first match against Egypt, Uruguay will feel confident of defeating a team which lost 5-0 to Russia. Despite creating some good goal scoring opportunities in their opening match, Uruguay needed a last minute winner from defender Jose Gimenez to take maximum points.
Egypt were organised and made things difficult for the Uruguay forwards but Luis Suarez will be hoping to perform better in-front of goal in this game having missed some excellent chances to score.
Uruguay come into this match undefeated in their last five World Cup matches.
Saudi Arabia could not have asked for a worse start to their 2018 World Cup campaign, losing 5-0 to the hosts, Russia. There was very little in the way of organisation to their play and they allowed a Russian team who were under extreme pressure an easy way to begin their home World Cup journey.
Having started so poorly, things can surely only get better for Saudi Arabia but they now face arguably the strongest team in the group. The Saudi’s must approach this match in a different manner if they are to avoid defeat and that means keeping things tight at the back and making life difficult for the Uruguay attackers.
However, Saudi Arabia have seen over 2.5 goals in eight of their last ten World Cup games and they seem incapable of making a game tight. If they attempt to play open, attacking football in this match they could be on the end of another big score.
Team news and Uruguay are unlikely to make any changes to the team which started against Egypt. Luis Suarez did not enjoy a good day in-front of goal but the Barcelona man remains one of Uruguay’s best players and will keep his place in the team.
Saudi Arabia manager Juan Antonio Pizzi will consider making changes to his team following the heavy defeat to Russia. Captain Osama Hawsawi and top scorer Mohammad Al-Sahlawi are likely to keep their places but there could be plenty of changes elsewhere.
There can be little doubt Uruguay are much the stronger of these two teams and they should come away with the win. Expect to see them keep a clean sheet and score two or more goals in the process.