The FIFA World Cup Group H starts with a clash between Uruguay and South Korea. Both teams have previously played in the knockout stages of this tournament. Group H is a tricky group for every team involved and nothing is clear cut and obvious. The first game will prove to be pivotal should either side win, as it puts the opposing side in a difficult position. Diego Alonso took over the Uruguay National team a year ago and would look to mark his time with the squad with a great run in the World Cup.
Going head to head with Uruguay are South Korea on the first day, who are no strangers to upsetting giant nations. South Korea has a very talented young squad with great World Cup experience. It will be key for the South Korean squad if Heung Min Son recovers in time after the injury he picked up earlier this year.
Uruguay are the favourites in this game; in the FIFA rankings, they are ranked 14th, with South Korea in 28th place overall. In their previous meetings, South Korea only won once, which came in a friendly in 2018. In previous FIFA World Cup meetings, Uruguay won on both occasions, 2-1 and 1-0.
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URUGUAY
The South American team has enjoyed some great moments in the FIFA World Cup, winning the title twice in its early years. In 2018, a quarter-final finish was one of the best results in the last tournaments, and it would serve as a great sign of things to come. In the latest tournament, Uruguay competed in the Copa America but failed to get past the quarter-finals as they were beaten by Colombia.
Overall, the team is young and will be eager to pounce at a chance to make a name for themselves on the World Cup stage. Part and parcel of having a young and energetic bunch is the inexperience that might put them at a disadvantage. It will be fascinating to see how the attacking force of Uruguay sets up and how it accommodates the old fox Luis Suarez as well as new hot shot Darwin Nunez.
As mentioned earlier, Uruguay are the favourites to come out the winners in this first game of Group H. We are pricing a 2-1 correct score win at 29/4 (8.25), with Luis Suarez to score anytime during the game at 39/20 (2.95)
SOUTH KOREA
The only Asian side to compete in the FIFA World Cup and make it to the latter stages of the tournament – when in 2022 they reached the semi-final on home soil. It will now take a very monumental effort for them to get out of the group as they are matched up against Portugal, Ghana and Uruguay.
Heung Min Son looks like he will be fit to play for the opening game, given that he plays with a face mask. It will be a huge boost to the morale of the whole team to have their talisman with them on the pitch. The Tottenham Hotspur starlet is known to produce something out of nothing, potentially setting his team up for success. In order to withstand their rivals’ fierce attacking force, South Korea’s defensive unit has to be diligent and attentive for the whole 90 minutes.
A tight encounter with not many goals being scored is pretty much on the cards and we are pricing under 2.5 goals at 3/5 (1.60), with Heung Min Son to score anytime during the match at 23/7 (4.30)
Match betting odds
South American outfit Uruguay are priced at 3/4 (1.75) to get off to a winning start, whilst South Korea are at 23/5 (5.60), and a draw at 13/5 (3.60).
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*Odds subject to change. Odds correct at time of publishing