Uzbekistan U23 vs Saudi Arabia U23 — Tips & Analysis

Saudi Arabia U23 +0.75: Saudi Arabia have the better record in this matchup, and that is where the case starts. They have won three of the last six meetings with Uzbekistan, including 2-0 and 1-0 wins. Uzbekistan have won two. This is a knockout game at a neutral ground in Nagoya, so neither side has a crowd behind them. Uzbekistan are playing well. They won all three group games, beating the Philippines 5-1, Kuwait 2-0 and Vietnam 2-0, and they finished top with a +8 goal difference. They let in well under a goal a game across their last 16. Saudi Arabia are more up and down. They have won 7 of their last 13 and lost 4, and they lost 0-2 to Korea Republic in their final group game. They do stay in games though. They have lost by 2 or more goals only twice in those 13. Both teams have had three days off and the loser goes out tonight, so expect a careful, tight game. The most likely score is a 1-0 Uzbekistan win, and that is not enough for us. Saudi Arabia have to take something from this game, and their record against this opponent says they can. The worry is that Uzbekistan have won by 2 or more goals in 7 of their last 16. We are backing Saudi Arabia to stay with them.