Russia vs Saudi Arabia

Russia will kick off the world cup as hosts against Saudi Arabia on Thursday, the general trend with the Russian national team is a downward one and this trend shows no sign of stopping, recently as they are winless in their last 7. It is fair to say bar hosting Panama, Saudi Arabia are probably the next side they would want to face in their opening match. However, Saudi have shown in qualification that they are a side that can hold their own, they beat better fancied Japan and drew with Australia, only losing 2-1 & 3-2 away to those sides as well. They have also shown they are a capable side in a recent friendly game vs Germany losing away by only 2 goals to 1, while Italy only beat them 2-1 in another warm up match that was played in Switzerland, although Italy were not at their strongest. Saudi are well organised and will probably be intent on not shipping to many goals throughout the tournament. Russia will of course have major pressure on them as hosts and you would imagine with their recent form any sort of win will suffice for one of the weaker hosts in the history of the tournament itself, this is a major reason why I like Saudi Arabia +1.25 @1.83.

I also think this will be a low scoring game, which of course helps the handicap bet but it also opens up a bet on the total goals line of 2.25 goals in my opinion. The opening games of World cups are traditionally very low scoring scoring events, since and including the world cup in England in 1966 (13 world cups ago), we have had just 3 opening games that have saw 3 goals or more goals scored in them, all 3 featured super powers Germany and Brazil and twice as hosts. It is a staggering statistic and shows the mindset of teams that look more upon this opening fixture as a must not lose and it tends to be a very cautious game, so with this in mind I think the under 2.25 goals is a bet at current odds. To conclude I am having 2 bets, betting Saudi Arabia +1.25 Min odds 1.83 and Under 2.25 goals min odds 1.90.

Saudi Arabia +1.25 min odds @1.83
Russia vs Saudi Arabia Under 2.25 Goals min odds @1.90