Uruguay vs. South Korea - Betting tips, predictions, and odds
Uruguay and South Korea will kick off the action in Group H at the FIFA World Cup with a match at Education City Stadium. Check out the best Uruguay vs. South Korea betting tips and predictions.
H2H, form, and stats
Uruguay and South Korea have a rich H2H history, and this will be the third time they will meet at the World Cup. La Celeste won both matches, including the one in South Africa in 2010, when Luis Suarez scored a brace as Uruguay went past South Korea with a 2-1 victory in the Round of 16. In total, these rivals have met on seven occasions; Uruguay won six, while South Korea was better in the most recent. It was a friendly in 2018.
Uruguay won four games in a row in the CONMEBOL qualification zone to finish in 3rd place behind Brazil and Argentina. They didn't start the qualifications well, and even though they conceded only one goal in those four consecutive wins, the Uruguayans had a 28-28 goal difference in the end. Diego Alonso’s men played five friendlies to prepare for this World Cup; they beat Mexico, Panama, and Canada without conceding a goal, drew 0-0 with the USA, and lost 1-0 to Iran.
South Korea did suffer the only loss in the qualifications in the final round to UAE, but it didn't affect them. Iran did leapfrog the Tigers of Asia in the final standings, but South Korea finished with the best defense after allowing only three goals in ten matches. Paulo Bento’s squad played three friendly games to get prepared for the WC in Qatar. They drew 2-2 with Costa Rica, and then beat Cameroon and Iceland with an identical 1-0 result.
Injuries and squad news
Cristhian Stuani (the 3rd top scorer) is probably the biggest name omitted from Paulo Bento’s final 26-men squad list for this World Cup. this tournament is going to be the last with the national side for several players: Luis Suárez, Edinson Cavani, Martín Cáceres, Diego Godín, and Fernando Muslera will say goodbye following this campaign in Qatar.
Uruguay has a strong attacking line made of Suárez, Cavani, and Darwin Núñez, and a talented midfield consisting of Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Matías Vecino. On defense, José Giménez and Godin will hold the line, while Muslera is always giving his all for Uruguay at the goal. One of the most experienced teams at this World Cup is always considered one of the dark horses.
South Korean fans survived a scare as their biggest fears almost came to life. Namely, captain and best player Son Heung-min suffered a facial injury in Tottenham’s Champions League game against Marseille, and Son was in jeopardy of missing the World Cup.
However, he stated that he will be in Qatar to represent his country, and let’s be honest, South Korea is not the same team without Son. With all due respect, without Son, they are just a North Korea (in football ways, of course). Paulo Bento will also count on Hwang Ui-jo, Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Jae-sung, and Kim Min-jae to take his team to the Round of 16.
Uruguay vs. South Korea Betting predictions and odds
Uruguay is a favorite in this tilt and the odds on La Celeste getting three points can be found at 1.78, which is not bad at all. South Korea can be played at 4.85, while you can bet on a draw at 3.50. When it comes to goals, Over 2.5 goals is 2.37, meaning that the bookies expect a bit tighter affair, while Under 2.5 goals is at 1.58.
Our best tip for Uruguay vs. South Korea game
South Korea will be looking for revenge for that aforementioned loss 12 years ago at the World Cup in South Africa, but let’s be real, Uruguay has a better and more experienced team. This is arguably the toughest group in Qatar, with Portugal and Ghana as the other two teams in it, so Paulo Bento knows that failing to beat South Korea can be costly.
Son can score against any team in the world, but as a whole, Uruguay is better in every segment. Although many expect Portugal and Uruguay to secure the top two places, nothing is given, and La Celeste will have to work hard to progress to the Round of 16. We’re backing them to open their campaign with three points in this one.
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Uruguay vs. South Korea: Where to watch? Date, hour, and TV schedule
- FIFA World Cup
- Venue: Education City Stadium (Al Rayyan)
- Thursday, November 24, 2022
- 2 PM CET
- TV Schedule
