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Poland vs Saudi Arabia Odds & Prediction – World Cup Group C

Gary Gowers

by Gary Gowers in Soccer News

Updated Nov 25, 2022 · 8:00 AM PST

Saudi Arabia midfielder Salem Al-Dawsari (10
Nov 22, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; Saudi Arabia midfielder Salem Al-Dawsari (10) celebrates with forward Saleh Al-Shehri (11) after scoring a goal against Argentina during a group stage match during the 2022 World Cup at Lusail Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
  • It’s Poland vs Saudi Arabia in Round 2 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, November 26
  • Saudi Arabia produced one of the great World Cup shocks when they beat Argentina in their opener
  • We preview Poland vs Saudi Arabia, look at the odds, and offer some picks

It’s Poland vs Saudi Arabia on Saturday, November 26 in the second round of fixtures in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This Group C game kicks off in Education City Stadium, Ar-Rayyan at 8am ET.

Saudi Arabia’s dramatic 2-1 win over Argentina on Tuesday ranks as one of the biggest-ever World Cup upsets, but Poland’s start to the tournament was lukewarm at best when their opener against Mexico ended goalless.

We preview Poland vs Saudi Arabia, look at the World Cup odds, and offer some analysis, team news, and picks below.

Poland vs Saudi Arabia Odds

Matchup Moneyline
Poland -140
Saudi Arabia +425
Draw +280

Odds as of Nov 25 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Use this DraftKings Sportsbook promo code to bet on this or other games.

Poland start this one as odds-on favorites at -140, with an implied win probability of 58%, while Saudi Arabia are listed at a generous +425 with an implied probability of 19%. The draw, at +280, is implied at 26%.

Also, be sure to check out BetRivers to grab your World Cup Futures Insurance. Get up to $25 back with BetRivers World Cup Futures Insurance if your team doesn’t make it out of the Group Stage. (Odds must be -200 or greater).

Over/Under and Spread

DraftKings are not anticipating a goal-fest with over 2.5 goals listed in plus money at +110, while under is pitched less attractively at -135. The cautious approach that is commonplace in the opening games of tournaments tends to be less prevalent from Matchday 2 onwards, so the ‘over’ bet is worth considering.

Poland vs Saudi Arabia Preview

Poland’s opener against Mexico was a dull affair in which, for long spells, they were second best but they had a golden chance to win it and it fell to their goalscoring talisman.

Robert Lewandowski, the Poles’ all-time leading scorer, won a second-half penalty after being wrestled to the floor but his poor spot-kick was saved by Mexico keeper, Guillermo Ochoa. A point was no more than Mexico deserved on a night when Poland failed to find any sort of rhythm.

An Opportunity Missed for Poland

All in all, it was a really disappointing one for Czeslaw Michniewicz’s men who would have seen it as a perfect opportunity after the Saudis’ win over Argentina earlier in the day. But the failure to take three points could come back to bite them.

With Argentina to come in their final group game, and with Argentina likely to need a win to qualify, this is unquestionably a must-win game for Poland. But given how well Saudi Arabia played in their opener, a Polish win is by no means a given.

Poland vs Saudi Arabia Head-to-Head Stats

POLAND
VS
SAUDI ARABIA
28 FIFA World ranking 53
3rd place (1974 & 1982) Best World Cup Finals Outcome Round-of-16 (1994)
8 / 1 Goal Attempts / On Target (Game 1) 3 / 2
322 / 241 Passes  / Completed Passes (Game1) 267 / 190
5 No of Corners (Game 1) 2
D-L-L-W-W-D Form guide D-D-L-D-W-W

Saudi Arabia Shock the Soccer World

While Saudi Arabia remain the outsiders in Group C, they are now well and truly in the mix after pulling off one of the greatest-ever World Cup shocks. Their 2-1 win over Argentina was doubly impressive as they had to come back from a 1-0 halftime deficit.

If two disallowed Argentinian goals in the first half had not been ruled by VAR for offside infringements, it would have been game over but the Saudis hung in and produced two moments of quality in a devastating five-minute second-half spell. Goals from Al Sheri and Al Dawsari and some heroic defending were enough to see them through to a historic win.

 

Renard’s Bold Master Plan pays Off

Saudi manager, Hervé Renard took the bold approach of condensing the midfield by playing a high defensive line and, while it was high risk, it worked better than he could have ever dreamed.

Only time will tell if he dares use a similar strategy against Poland – they will have seen it and planned for it – but with another win guaranteeing Saudi Arabia their first knockout phase place since 1994, we can expect another brave, high-energy performance from Renard’s men.

Poland vs Saudi Arabia Team Lineups and Injuries

Poland Projected Lineup: Szczesny, Zalewski, Kiwior, Glik, Bednarek, Cash, Szymanski, Krychowiak, Zielinski, Lewandowski, Milik.

Injuries & absences: None.

Saudi Arabia Projected Lineup: Al-Owais, Al-Burayk, Al-Boleahi, Al Tambakti, Abdulhamid, Al Malki, Kanno, Al-Abed, Al Dawsari, Al-Shehiri, Al Buraikan.

Injuries & absences: Al-Shahrani.

Poland vs Saudi Arabia Prediction

Poland were awful against Mexico and it is unlikely they will produce two consecutive performances of such low quality, but they face a Saudi Arabia team that will be bursting full of confidence.

If the Saudis can restrict the supply to Lewandowski, as Mexico did, then their bold, high-tempo style could yet produce another huge win. At +425, that’s definitely where the value lies.

Picks: Saudi Arabia to win (+425) / Over 2.5 goals (+110)

 

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