World Cup Betting Odds For Saudi Arabia
With Russia 2018 being the country’s first tournament debut in over a decade, the World Cup betting odds for Saudi Arabia are getting more action than ever. The team first appeared in USA 1994, where they were second-round victims to Sweden in the Cotton Bowl. Saudi Arabia did qualify for France 1998 but claimed only one point before being eliminated. The team has had four World Cup appearances in all, including Korea/Japan 2002 and Germany 2006. In total, Saudi Arabia has played in 13 matches and scored 9 goals. With an influx of new talent after the retirements of star players Yasser Al-Qahtani and Saud Kariri, the Green Falcons have positioned themselves in second place on the Group B Asian qualifying board.
The 2018 World Cup draw took place on December 1st, with Saudi Arabia selected for Group A. In what is considered the easiest group, Saudi Arabia will play Russia, Uruguay, and Egypt. The field of 32 has officially been set and we can now look forward to Saudi Arabia advancing to the Round of 16, which they have not accomplished since the World Cup in 1994. With 12 years passing since the Falcons have reached a final, World Cup betting odds for Saudi Arabia are up for consideration at the leading online sportsbooks.
Live Betting Odds On Saudi Arabia In The 2018 World Cup
The live betting odds on Saudi Arabia in the 2018 World Cup have changed significantly since the World Cup Futures market opened. Before the draw, the World Cup betting odds for Saudi Arabia were 1000/1. After being announced in Group A, the current odds for Saudi Arabia to win the World Cup are 40/1. In the group betting market, Saudi Arabia has 33/1 betting odds to win Group A. These odds are provided courtesy of Bet365, and the sportsbook also offers other unique World Cup props & futures. You can bet the field on the winning continent (33/1) or request odds for the top Saudi Arabia goal scorer. More Saudi Arabia World Cup betting odds will be posted the closer we get to Russia 2018.
Saudi Arabia’s Road To The World Cup
Saudi Arabia’s road to the World Cup was more challenging toward the end. The team is currently ranked 63 and had a couple of difficult matches. Saudi Arabia was able to easily overcome Thailand and Iraq, but the real test was Australia on June 8th in Adelaide. The team would have been able to secure their qualifying spot had they won the match, however, the result was a 3-2 victory in Australia’s favor. Nearly a month later, Saudi Arabia also fell victim to the United Arab Emirates. The World Cup betting odds for Saudi Arabia initially shifted farther into the field as a result, but this was only temporary. It was their matchup against #44 Japan that earned Saudi Arabia their place in Russia 2018. Striker Fahad Al Muwallad kicked a goal in the 63rd minute of the match that sealed their qualifying position and won the match 1-0. Finishing the World Cup qualifiers with 19 points, Saudi Arabia currently sits under Japan (20 points) in Group B.
In addition to their schedule, Saudi Arabia also had some controversy with its coaching staff. Bert van Marwijk was fired in September and replaced by Edgardo Bauza. Bauza’s time with the team was short-lived, as Juan Antonio Pizzi was named the new coach on November 38th, 2017. Pizzi previously played for Spain, with appearances in UEFA 1996 and the 1998 World Cup in France.
Players To Watch In The 2018 World Cup
When discussing the players to watch in the 2018 World Cup from Saudi Arabia, forward Mohammad Al-Sahlawi (#10) should be included in the conversation. The striker finished as the joint top-scorer in the qualifying rounds with 16 goals over 18 matches. Al-Sahlawi has been with Al-Nassr since 2009, where he received a Saudi football record-setting contract of $8 million. Some of his victories with Al-Nasr include the 2014/2015 and 2013/2014 Saudi Arabian Champion, along with the 2013/2014 Crown Prince Cup. Since joining the Saudi Arabia National team in 2010, Al-Sahlawi has made 35 appearances and made 28 goals. Each year, Al-Sahlawi has consistently been on the top scorers list, which has been instrumental in Saudia Arabia’s success. The World Cup betting odds for Saudi Arabia will hinge on how Al-Sahlawi performs during each match.
Nawaf Al-Abed also finished as a top scorer in the final qualifying round and has been a part of the national team since 2011 with over 40 appearances. Mohammed Al-Burayk is one of the best strikers in Asia, while it was Fahad Al-Muwallad who scored the goal to secure their 1-0 victory over Japan.
Best Sites For Saudi Arabia World Cup Betting Odds
The best sites for Saudi Arabia World Cup betting odds are those with a wide array of betting options. You should be able to bet on different markets, such as outrights, top goal scorer, and who will be in the finals squad. These online sportsbooks will have the latest World Cup betting odds for Saudi Arabia, along with special features such as live betting, mobile wagering, and exclusive World Cup sportsbook bonuses. The site that we recommend for World Cup betting on Saudi Arabia is BetDSI.
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Saudi Arabia World Cup Statistics
Saudi Arabia World Cup History
| Founded | 1956 |
| World Cup Appearances | 4; 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006 |
| Titles | 0 |
| Best Achievement | Round of 16 1994 |
Recent Qualifying Matches
| Thu | 01/09/16 | WQE | Saudi Arabia | 1-0 | Thailand |
| Tue | 06/09/16 | WQE | Iraq | 1-2 | Saudi Arabia |
| Thu | 06/10/16 | WQE | Saudi Arabia | 2-2 | Australia |
| Tue | 11/10/16 | WQE | Saudi Arabia | 3-0 | UAE |
| Tue | 15/11/16 | WQE | Japan | 2-1 | Saudi Arabia |
| Thu | 23/03/17 | WQE | Thailand | 0-3 | Saudi Arabia |
| Tue | 28/03/17 | WQE | Saudi Arabia | 1-0 | Iraq |
| Thu | 08/06/1 | WQE | Australia | 3-2 | Saudi Arabia |
| Tue | 29/08/17 | WQE | UAE | 2-1 | Saudi Arabia |
| Thu | 05/09/17 | WQE | Saudi Arabia | 1-0 | Japan |
WC Qualification Statistics
| Total | Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 18 | 9 | 9 |
| Wins | 12 | 8 | 4 |
| Draws | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Losses | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Goals For | 45 | 22 | 23 |
| Goals Against | 14 | 5 | 9 |
| Points | 39 | 25 | 14 |
| Clean Sheets | 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Avg. Goals Scored p/m | 2.5 | 2.44 | 2.56 |
| Avg. Goals Conceded p/m | 0.5 | 0.25 | 0.75 |
| Avg. Time 1st Goal Scored | 43m | 44m | 41m |
| Avg. Time 1st Goal Conceded | 75m | 67m | 41m |
| Failed to Score | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Biggest Victory | 4-0 | 4-0 | 2-1 |
| Biggest Defeat | 1-2 |
Saudi Arabia Head Coach
| Juan Antonio Pizzi |
Saudi Arabia Star Player
| Mohammad Al-Sahlawi |
Saudi Arabia Goalkeepers
| Abdullah Al Maiouf | Mohammed Al Owais |
| Waleed Abdullah |
Saudi Arabia Defenders
| Mohammed Al Burayk | Mohammed Al Fatil |
| Mansour Al Harbi | Saeed Al Mowalad |
| Abdulrahman Al Obaid | Yasir Al Shahrani |
| Hassan Muath Fallatah | Motaz Hawsawi |
| Omar Hawsawi | Osama Hawsawi |
| Mohammed Khubrani |
Saudi Arabia Midfielders
| Salem Al Dawsari | Salman Al Faraj |
| Ahmed Al Fraidi | Taisir Al Jassim |
| Abdulmalek Al Khaibri | Hussain Al Mogahwi |
| Nouh Al mousa | Yehya Al Shehri |
| Abdulmajeed Al Sulaiheem | Abdulfattah Asiri |
| Waleed Bakshween | Abdullah Otayf |
Saudi Arabia Attackers
| Hazzaa Al Hazzaa | Salman Al Moasher |
| Ali Al Zaqan | Mohanad Aseri |
| Mukhtar Fallatah |