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China vs Saudi Arabia Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks and Predictions

Group B Leaders Can Book World Cup Tickets

Qualifier at Neutral Site

Having nothing to play for, China faces Group B leaders Saudi Arabia at a neutral site in what is expected to be one of the most thrilling games of this midweek’s Asian World Cup qualifiers action. You can live-bet on your favorite games across the World Cup qualification stage by using our sportsbook.

Let’s check the latest news, stats, injury reports, and AFC World Cup Qualifiers for China vs Saudi Arabia. We’ve plenty of predictions for you to consider.

China vs Saudi Arabia Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks and Predictions
Philip FONG / AFP

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China: No Incentive

China‘s slim hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar were crushed after it lost 3-1 to Vietnam in the last round of the Asian zone qualifiers. The defeat killed China’s harsh theoretical chance of qualifying for the World Cup, as the team collected only five points from eight games. Head coach Li Xiaopeng apologized to the fans, admitting he made a big mistake on the game plan and declaring that his players were too nervous on the pitch. They are now sitting fifth in the group, 10 points behind third-placed Australia with two games to go till the end of the third qualifying stage.

We expect them to rotate the squad so we will definitely see new faces on the pitch. Of course, they will take this match very seriously because they want to show that the defeat against Vietnam was a mistake and that they are better than that. Chinese football will definitely revive in the future, but it needs hard work, generation by generation. China’s last and only World Cup appearance was in 2002, when they lost all three Group Stage fixtures against Brazil, Turkey, and Costa Rica, failing to find the back of the net. They are a team to fade and so we won’t include them in our soccer picks and parlays. The Asian Federation announces that China’s fixture against Saudi Arabia will be held on a neutral venue in United Arab Emirates.

Saudi Arabia: Strong Campaign

A place in Qatar is within reach for Saudi Arabia, which has won 12 of their 16 qualification fixtures in the second and third round. The other results were draws against Palestine, Yemen and Australia and the one defeat was against Japan. They are leading the standings with 19 points earned in eight games, sitting one point above Japan and four above Australia.

Manager Herve Renard has a lovely luxury that his Japanese counterpart cannot boast. The entire Saudi team features domestically in the Western Asian nation, and that familiarity among the players is evident. The 53-year-old Frenchman has brought out the best from this team, turning them into a solid group, while their individual quality has shone brightly. During this campaign, the Green Falcons have been fast and direct while also being much more compact and organized than they were under their former boss Bert van Marwijk, who was sacked before the 2018 finals.

When you watch how calm and composed they are on the pitch, it is difficult to believe that only three players on the current squad selected are 30 years of age or older. They’ve conceded just two road goals in their last five qualifiers, winning two games in the process. If you’re betting online, you should know that Saudi Arabia’s last World Cup appearance was in 2018 when they lost all three games against Russia, Uruguay and Egypt, scoring just one goal.

China vs Saudi Arabia Head-to-Head

Saudi Arabia has a decent head-to-head record against their opponents, losing just one of their previous seven games across all competitions and winning three in the process. Just three of their seven games ended with at least three goals on the scoreboard, including the reverse fixture. Saudi Arabia won the three points by beating China 3-2 on home soil with Al Nassr’s midfielder Sami Al-Najei scoring a brace.

China vs Saudi Arabia Game Information

  • Game: Australia (1-2-5) vs. Saudi Arabia (6-1-1)
  • Location: Sharjah Stadium (UAE)
  • Day/Time: Thursday, 11 a.m. ET
  • Live stream: fubo.tv

China vs Saudi Arabia Betting Lines

Team Handicap Moneyline Total Team Total
China PR +1 +115 +800 2-150o ½+120o / ½-150u
Saudi Arabia -1 -145 -250
2+120u
1½-130o / 1½Evu
Draw +335

China vs Saudi Arabia Prediction

Despite dominating the match against Japan and creating many goal-scoring chances, Saudi Arabia failed to find the back of the net. Their previous six away games across all competitions have seen a maximum of two goals while three of China’s last four home fixtures have ended in low-scoring affairs. The visitors are huge favorites to win this clash at -250 on the three-way moneyline according to the latest soccer odds.

There’s no value betting on an away win so we are looking at the goals’ market. The line is set at two for now, which is not very appealing, but we do have some interesting props. China conceded an average of two goals in their eight qualifying games and Saudi Arabia should have enough to add two more goals to their campaign tally.

Pick: Saudi Arabia Over 1½ goals (-130)

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