Saudi Arabia vs Russia 2018 World Cup Group A Betting Preview

Russia is the seeded team in Group A thanks to their status as the host nation in this World Cup. However, they have gone winless in their last seven friendlies (0-4-3), which makes them likely to become just the second host nation to escape group play (following South Africa in 2010). Their first group game is the only game on June 14, as they take on Saudi Arabia, which has the lowest international ranking of any of the 32 teams in the World Cup. They are in the tournament for the first time since 2006 and are looking for their first victory since 1994. Egypt and Uruguay are the other two teams in the group, and if Russia want to advance, they need to pick up the three points from the Saudis and move on. Take a look at our World Cup betting preview of this inaugural matchup.

Saudi Arabia vs Russia 2018 World Cup Group A Betting Preview

When: Thursday, June 14, 2018, 11:00am ET Where: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow TV: FOX Radio: None Live Stream: Live Soccer TV Soccer Odds: Saudi Arabia +847 / Draw +349 / Russia -223 / O/U 2.5

Why should you bet on Saudi Arabia?

It’s hard to argue hard for that big value moneyline, as tempting as that +847 might be. Saudi Arabia have finished last in their group in each of their last three appearances in the World Cup. They did make it to the round of 16 in 1994, but that was 24 years ago. They have lost eight and drawn two in their last ten World Cup games, and they have never won an opener. Their defense is not particularly solid, as they have just one clean sheet in their last 13 World Cup games. Entering World Cup play, Saudi Arabia have lost each of their last three friendlies, by a combined score of 7-2. Their experience on the international stage is scant, at best, and they only have two players out of their entire roster with more than 60 international matches. They have had chaos at the head coaching position, shuffling through four different managers in the last three years. They do have a couple of playmakers in Mohammad Al-Sahlawi and Yahya Al-Shehri, so if the Russian defense does not take the Saudis seriously, they could put a goal or two in net and surprise the home team. However, given the scrutiny of playing in front of their own fans, it’s hard to imagine the Russians sleeping on the job in this one.

Why should you bet on Russia?

Neither one of these teams has done well in World Cup play. Russia has lost three and drawn two in their last five World Cup games. They have never beaten a team that was not from Africa in the tournament, as they beat Cameroon in 1994 and Tunisia in 2002. They have made the World Cup three times since the USSR split up, but they have never reached the knockout round. Each time, they have come in in third place in their group. As far as this year’s team goes, their defense is weak; they have permitted eight goals in their last four matches, against unimpressive competition. Igor Akinfeev, the Russian goalkeeper, does have a lot of international experience, with more than 100 caps and the most clean sheets of any Russian goalkeeper. Up front, they have a decent striker in Fyodor Smolov, who has 12 goals in 32 international games, and he also has put up solid numbers with Krasnodar. There is also the intangible of having a stadium packed with Russian fans (and the pressure of supporting the host nation could find its way into the whistle of the referee as well, as there are few sports as political as soccer).

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

Obviously, this is not a marquee matchup to start the 2018 World Cup. However, it does give the host nation star billing to open the tournament. Russia has made a career out of finishing third in their group, and I think that is what will happen — a third place finish that begins with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia.