Skip to main content

Saudi Arabia vs. USA Picks, Predictions for International Soccer Friendly: Americans Look to Bounce Back

Emanuel Rosu

Last Updated: September 26, 2022 11:29 AM EDT • 1 min 41 sec read.

Christian Pulisic celebrates with Walker Zimmerman of the United States after scoring a goal against Honduras in the second half of a World Cup qualifying game.
Christian Pulisic celebrates with Walker Zimmerman of the United States after scoring a goal against Honduras in the second half of a World Cup qualifying game. Photo by David Berding/Getty Images via AFP.

Can the United States bounce back from a string of poor results when it takes on Saudi Arabia in an international friendly? Find out with our Saudi Arabia-USA picks.

Gregg Berhalter’s men showed little reason for optimism ahead of the World Cup when they faced Japan on Friday. The 2-0 loss in Dusseldorf was only part of the bad news, as the whole performance was dismal.

Here are our picks for the international friendly match between Saudi Arabia and the USA (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).  

Saudi Arabia vs. USA Game Info

Date/Time: Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2:00 p.m. ET
TV: FS1, Unimas, TUDN
Location: Estadio Nuevo Condomina, Murcia, Spain
Weather: 77 degrees, 0% chance of precipitation, 8-mph winds

Saudi Arabia vs. USA Picks

  • Moneyline: USA (-120 via DraftKings)
  • Over/Under: Under 2.5 (-156 via FanDuel)
  • Prop bet: Penalty awarded (+225 via FanDuel)

Saudi Arabia vs. USA ML Pick

USA (-120) ★★★

There's no bite, no electricity, and no positivity in the USMNT game. That was the case in the Japan matchup. Still, the pride the group has demands an improved performance against Saudi Arabia.

The opponent is inferior in terms of individual quality, and its game has been less than impressive. Berhalter and his men have little space for excuses with the World Cup rapidly approaching.

Saudi Arabia hasn’t scored a goal since the end of the qualifiers in March, despite featuring in three friendlies (0-1 vs. Colombia, 0-1 vs. Venezuela, 0-0 vs. Ecuador). Its offensive form is worrying, to say the least.

USMNT is expected to profit by finally concentrating on creating, rather than containing opposition attacks.

Check out the latest comprehensive and most trusted Sportsbook Reviews by SBR.

Saudi Arabia vs. USA O/U Pick

Under 2.5 (-156) ★★★

It's a friendly, but it's improbable for two out-of-form sides to go at each other and rain goals when they meet in Murcia on Tuesday. There have been less than 2.5 goals scored in each of Saudi Arabia’s 12 matches.

Meanwhile, when out of the CONCACAF comfort zone, USMNT has also looked less than impressive while attacking, so all early indicators point toward a clash that would not KO both teams’ current status quos.

Saudi Arabia vs. USA Prop Pick

Penalty awarded (+225) ★★★

If teamplay doesn’t work, then set pieces can definitely unlock the game.  Berhalter has been criticized for leaving Union Berlin striker Jordan Pefok, Fulham captain Tim Ream, and Benfica’s defender John Brooks at home, but there’s still enough offensive quality in the USA roster.

With Saudi Arabia likely to defend tight, contact inside the box can easily lead to penalties.

Where to Bet on Saudi Arabia-USA Picks

FanDuel Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook
PointsBet
BetMGM

SEE ALSO: All picks, odds, and sports betting news. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

Saudi Arabia-USA picks made 9/26/2022 at 10:40 a.m. ET

Written By:
Emanuel Rosu
Emanuel Rosu has freelanced as a soccer specialist for the BBC, The Guardian, FourFourTwo, Goal, and the New York Times. He's part of the "Ballon d'Or" jury, representing Romania in the vote that rewards the best soccer player in the world each year. He is based in Bucharest, Romania.