Japan vs Saudi Arabia Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds

The Samurai Blue have already defeated Saudi Arabia once this season.

The Japan national football team are all set to host the Saudi Arabia national football team in the third-round fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC qualifiers. The Samurai Blue are comfortably sitting on the top of the Group C standings having won six of their seven qualification matches. The visitors are placed third.

The Samurai Blue will be at home for the coming fixture and they will use this as a clear advantage. They have not lost any of their 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers game this time around. The Japan national football team defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 the last time both sides met.

The Saudi Arabia national football team will be contesting away from home. They are in the third spot but have only won a couple of World Cup qualifier games. Saudi Arabia are going to face a tough time here. They have already lost to them once this season and will be under pressure here.

Kick-off:

• Location: Saitama, Japan
• Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002
• Date: Tuesday, March 25
• Kick-off Time: 16:05 IST/ 10:35 GMT/ 05:35 ET/ 02:35 PT
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: Not in use

Form:

Japan: W-D-W-W-W

Saudi Arabia: L-W-W-L-W

Players to Watch

Ayase Ueda (Japan)

The 26-year-old forward will be one of the main men in the attacking front for the Samurai Blues. Ayase Ueda is the top goal-getter for his national football team in the qualifiers here. Ueda is going to cause problems for Saudi Arabia’s defence with his goal-scoring abilities.

Salem Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia)

Salem Al Dawsari led Saudi Arabia to a win in the previous match over China. The Al Hilal star is going to play an important role for the visitors once again. He will have to carry on his goal-scoring form so that they can stand a chance against the Asian giants. From the left, he can help his fellow teammates to find spaces in the opponent’s defence.

⭐ Big moment, same name—Salem Al Dawsari delivers again! 🇸🇦#AsianQualifiers | #KSAvCHN | #POTM | @VisitSaudi pic.twitter.com/CbfX5lBm3o

— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) March 20, 2025

Match Facts

• Japan are on a two-match winning streak against Saudi Arabia.
• Saudi Arabia have won two of their last five games against them.
• Samurai Blue have emerged victorious three times in their last five battles against Saudi Arabia.

Japan vs Saudi Arabia: Betting Tips and Odds

• Japan to win @2/5 William Hill
• Goals under 3.5 @4/11 Skybet
• Ayase Ueda to score @3/1 bet365

Injury and Team News

The Samurai Blue have all their players fit and ready to be in action.

Saudi Arabia will be without the services of Saud Abdulhamid as he is injured.

Head-to-Head

Total matches: 7

Japan won: 5

Saudi Arabia won: 2

Draws: 0

Predicted Lineups

Japan predicted lineup (3-4-2-1)

Suzuki (GK); Seko, Itakura, Ito; Doan, Endo, Morita, Mitoma; Kubo, Minamino; Ueda

Saudi Arabia predicted lineup (4-4-2)

Al Agidi (GK); Al Shanqiti, Al Tambakti, Kadesh, Boushal; Yahya, Al Ghamdi, Nasser Al Dawsari, Salem Al Dawsari; Al Juwayr, Al Brikan

Match Prediction

Both Japan and Saudi Arabia are well-stacked sides. However, the Samurai Blue are likely to defeat the visitors in their upcoming FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers fixture.

Prediction: Japan 2-1 Saudi Arabia

Telecast Details

India – Fancode

Indonesia – GTV

Japan – DAZN Japan

Australia – Paramount+

Saudi Arabia – beIN SPORTS CONNECT

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