Saudi Arabia vs Kuwait Predictions
Saudi Arabia kick-off their Gulf Cup campaign with a potentially tricky opener against Kuwait.
The hosts have struggled for form in the last year, and a competitive contest seems likely at King Abdullah Sports City.
While Saudi should win at a short price, I have a stake on both teams to score on Wednesday.
Goals Likely in Jeddah
- Saudi Arabia conceded 1+ goals in 7 of their last 8 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Saudi Arabia have seen BTTS in 3 of their last 4 matches against Kuwait
- Kuwait have seen BTTS in 6 of their last 7 matches
Saudi Arabia Edge Kuwait in Competitive H2H Record
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have met on 46 occasions since 1961. Saudi Arabia won 17 games while Kuwait secured 16 victories. Thirteen contests finished level.
Kuwait secured a 3-1 win in their most recent encounter at the 2019 Gulf Cup.
Saudi Arabia Winless in Four
Saudi Arabia begin their Gulf Cup campaign after a disappointing World Cup performance saw them finish bottom of Group H.
After a 1-1 draw with Uruguay, a heavy 4-0 defeat against Spain and a goalless draw with Cabo Verde ensured a first-round exit for Al-Akhdar.
Georgios Donis' side have now failed to win any of their last four internationals, while they have recorded only one win in nine games since September 2025.
The clean sheet secured against Cabo Verde was their first in eight competitive internationals in the past year. Over a longer period, the Saudis conceded at least one goal in 17 of 21 matches played since June 2025.
Past encounters against Kuwait also point towards a competitive contest in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia lost two of their last four meetings while securing only three wins from ten matches played since 2005.
Four-time winners of this competition, the Green Falcons suffered a 2-1 semi-final defeat against Oman in the 2024 edition.
Kuwait Return After Lengthy Layoff
Kuwait return to competitive action after an entertaining 2-2 friendly draw against Thailand in June.
Goals from Yousef Majed and Eid Al-Rashidi secured a point for Kuwait, with the Blue Wave twice fighting back to draw at True BG Stadium.
Helio Sousa's men had not played since a first-round exit at the Arab Cup ten months ago.
The Kuwaitis picked up a 1-1 draw against Egypt before consecutive 3-1 defeats against Jordan and the UAE ensured an early elimination for the Blue Wave.
Frequently involved in high-scoring affairs, BTTS landed in all but one of their last seven internationals. Over a longer period, both teams scored in 69% of the 23 matches played since October 2024.
Historically the most successful team in this competition, the Blue Wave have lifted the title on ten occasions, with their most recent triumph coming in 2010. They also reached the semi-finals of the 2024 event before suffering a 1-0 defeat against Bahrain.
Saudi Arabia vs Kuwait Team News
Saudi Arabia Squad
Goalkeepers: Mohammed Al-Owais, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Hamed Al-Shanqiti
Defenders: Hassan Al-Tambakti, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Nawaf Boushal, Hassan Kadesh, Moteb Al-Harbi, Jehad Thakri, Rayan Hamed, Mohammed Mahzari, Zakaria Hawsawi
Midfielders: Mohamed Kanno, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Musab Al-Juwayr, Ziyad Al-Johani, Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Alaa Al-Hejji
Forwards: Firas Al-Buraikan, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, Sultan Mandash, Abdullah Al-Salem, Hammam Al-Hammami
Head coach Donis selected an experienced 27-man squad for the Gulf Cup.
Al-Hilal midfielder Mohamed Kanno is poised to win his 83rd cap on Wednesday.
Saleh Al-Shehri is one of eight players left out of the World Cup squad selected in June.
Kuwait Squad
Goalkeepers: Khaled Al-Rashidi, Saud Al-Hoshan, Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli
Defenders: Fahad Al-Hajeri, Hassan Al-Enezi, Rashed Al-Dousari, Muath Al-Dhefiri, Khaled Al-Fadhli, Abdulwahab Al-Awadi, Mohammad Al-Sharifi, Yousef Al-Haqan
Midfielders: Redha Hani, Fawaz Ayedh, Athbi Shehab, Muath Al-Enezi, Nasser Faleh, Khaled Al-Mershed, Jasem Al-Mutar, Abdullah Al-Garzaie
Forwards: Yousef Nasser, Eid Al-Rashidi, Shabaib Al-Khaldi, Mohammad Daham, Yousef Majed
Helio Sousa has an experienced 26-man squad available this week.
Al-Kuwait forward Yousef Nasser is likely to win his 132nd international cap. The 35-year-old has scored 58 international goals, including five in four matches played last year.