Last updated & checked: 10/08/2021
Saudi Arabia take on Egypt in what will the final World Cup game for both sides after disappointing tournaments. They have both lost their two Group A games against Russia and Uruguay, meaning just pride is on the line in Volgograd. Nevertheless, representing your country at the biggest stage of all is a great honour for the players and they are surely going to want to end on a high.
For Saudi Arabia, they delivered a much-improved performance against Uruguay last time out, although they once again looked toothless going forward, which is a major issue. For Egypt, they have been a let-down for many observers, who thought they could compete with Russia for qualification but it didn’t happen, even though they haven’t been at all helped with Mo Salah’s fitness issues.
Here we will give you Saudi Arabia vs Egypt betting tips, look at where the game will be won, the key players and a Saudi Arabia vs Egypt prediction for the Group A encounter.
Our Saudi Arabia vs Egypt Prediction: Saudi Arabia 0-1 Egypt
Our Saudi Arabia vs Egypt prediction tips is for the African side to edge what could be a fairly dull affair to ensure they don’t finish bottom of the group.
Saudi Arabia were abysmal in their opener against Russia and were thumped 5-0, a result that the hosts probably merited. However, they were much better against Uruguay. They looked much more organised, kept the ball well, although they struggled to create clear cut chances yet that is perhaps understandable given the quality of defenders they were up against.
Meanwhile, Egypt froze in their crucial clash against Russia. They had to win to stand a realistic chance of progressing but the hosts were too good on the day. The return of Mo Salah was a positive and he scored but he couldn’t have the influence that many had hoped.
Our recommended tip – Egypt to win
This is a tough game to judge as the two sides are not playing for anything and you don’t know how they will cope.
However, if both sides are at their best then there’s no doubt that Egypt are a better side. The star man is obviously Mo Salah and he has made the difference for his country so many times over the years. If he plays well then the African side should have too much and Saudi Arabia have not shown enough to suggest they can score against a decent Egypt backline.
Previous matches
This will be the seventh meeting between the sides and it’s a fixture that Egypt have dominated, winning four of the previous six, although it’s a first meeting at the World Cup.
As mentioned, Saudi Arabia were awful against Russia and that will have seriously dented their confidence. The defeat to Uruguay means they are out but they will want to end on a high. There were positives to take from their last game, with Jose Antonio Pizzi’s men moving the ball well and having a lot of possession and territory.
For Egypt, they have been more competitive but ultimately the results have not gone their way. The late defeat to Uruguay in the opener was heartbreaking and the 20-minute capitulation against the Russians mean they have nothing to play for now.
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Players to watch – Fahad Al-Muwallad & Mo Salah
Fahad Al-Muwallad has been the bright spark for Saudi Arabia, impressing with his pace, movement and can cause problems to Egypt. He hasn’t yet managed to get on the scoresheet but he will hope chances come against a fairly slow Egyptian defence.
For Egypt, there’s no disputing the key man. Salah is one of the stars in world football but his World Cup was hindered by injury. He won’t be 100% match fit now but even so he will play and has the ability to win this game for his country. Saudi Arabia have gifted chances to the opposition in their first two games and if they do it to the Liverpool man they will be made to pay.
