Saudi Arabia vs Indonesia Prediction: Saudi aiming for their third World Cup Finals

Saudi Arabia will host Indonesia at King Abdullah Sports City during Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Saudi look to make their third appearance in the World Cup Finals on the trot. Who will be victorious after the final whistle?

Italy's manager Roberto Mancini, who led the team to victory in Euro 2020, is now facing pressure to improve the nation's results after a lackluster beginning following his departure from the Azzurri last year. The qualifying section of the AFC and the World Cup have been extended, with the expectation that the top nations will avoid the fourth round and playoffs. Indeed, only the top two teams from each group will automatically qualify for the fifth round, and it's anyone's guess for Saudi Arabia with both Japan and Australia posing a tough challenge. Certainly, the Green Falcons faced their share of setbacks, as evidence of a loss to Jordan and drawing in Tajikistan cost them further in the overall ranking. While Mancini had a torrid start with four winless games, all will be forgiven as long as he is able to lead the team across to North America in two years' time. This match against Indonesia, the only country to advance from the first qualifying round, will be viewed as a nailed three points for Saudi Arabia.

Al Owais; Hamidou, Lajami, Al Bulayhi; Abdulhamid, Al Khaibari, Kanno, Al Juwayr, N Al Dawsari; S Al Dawsari, Al Brikan

After defeating Brunei convincingly 12-0 on aggregate in the previous stage, Indonesia defeated Vietnam and the Philippines to make it to this stage, finishing second behind Iraq. Ranked 133rd in the world, Indonesia has only qualified for the World Cup once, 86 years ago as the Dutch East Indies. They will have to overcome Bahrain and China if they want to take fourth place in the group and go further.

Their 3-0 win over Vietnam and their 2-0 victory over the Philippines were vital for ensuring qualification. The real test is going to be against better sides, though, as was seen when they lost to Australia 4-0 in the Asian Cup earlier this year.

The extended World Cup format allows countries like Indonesia to feature in the competition, but they will find it tough. They are tipped to finish at the bottom of the group.

Paes; Ridho, Idzes, Hubner; Mangkualam, Ferdinan, Haye, Tjoe-a-On, Verdonk; Struick, Oratmangoen

It is thought that Saudi Arabia is an odds-on favorite to go through against the lowest-ranked qualifier still in it. For manager Mancini, he has to make sure that it's a good start with three points. Indonesia's victories in the past year have come only against Brunei, Vietnam, and the Philippines. They have won just four of the past 14 matches and could find this match tough. We expect more than 2.5 goals in the game.