Kick-off: 1300, 26/11/2022
Stadium: Education City Stadium
TV: ITV
Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the biggest World Cup upsets with their victory over Argentina and are dreaming of a place in the last 16 ahead of their clash with Poland.
The stunning 2-1 win over Lionel Messi’s men has thrown Group C wide open while Poland are seeking their first triumph after drawing 0-0 with Mexico.
As impressive as the minnows were in their opening game, we’re not getting carried away by that result and a win for the Poles at 3/4 is our opening Poland vs Saudi Arabia prediction.
Poland Odds
Poland missed the opportunity to take a huge step towards the knockout stage when they had to settle for a point against Mexico.
They were awarded a great chance to take the lead when captain Robert Lewandowski won his side a penalty early in the second half.
The Barcelona star looked poised to score his first goal at a World Cup finals and his 77th in a Poland shirt as he stepped up to take the spot-kick himself.
However, Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa showed all the experience of his 37 years and five World Cups to guess the right way and save low to his left, sparking delirium among the largely Mexican crowd and ensuring a disappointing game ended goalless.
Lewandowski should have plenty of chances to make amends here against a Saudi team who could have been out of the game by half-time against Argentina, who had three goals ruled out for offside before the break.
If the Saudis persist with playing a high line in defence, Lewandowski has the experience and know-how to time his runs to perfection.
Looking at the Poland vs Saudi Arabia odds, Lewandowski to score first and his team to win the match appeals at 12/5.
Saudi Arabia Odds
Saudi Arabia could have been forgiven for fearing the worst when they went behind to an early Messi penalty in their opening game.
Somehow they managed not to concede further goals in the first half that was followed by a remarkable second period in which the raucous Saudi fans cheered their side to a stunning victory.
Saleh Al Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari scored a quickfire double soon after the restart to put Herve Renard’s men ahead, with goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais putting in a man-of-the-match display to help see out a famous 2-1 win.
Renard said: “We made history for Saudi football. It will stay forever. This is the most important thing but we also need to think about looking forward because we still have very difficult two games.”
That result should ensure there is no complacency from the Poles, who are 27 places above their opponents in the FIFA rankings.
Saudi Arabia struggled for goals in qualifying so may find it hard to reproduce their opening heroics and a 2-0 win for the European team at 27/4 completes our Poland vs Saudi Arabia betting tips.
Additional stats
Last result:
Mexico 0-0 POLAND
Argentina 1-2 SAUDI ARABIA – Al Shehri, Al Dawsari
Head-to-head: Saudi Arabia 1-2 Poland
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