TUNISIA v SAUDI ARABIA - THE BEAN PREVIEW

Tunisia 5/6 - Draw 11/5 - Saudi Arabia 11/4 (Ladbrokes)

The last of the opening games is an interesting tie between Tunisia of Africa and Saudi Arabia of Asia. This will be the seventh meeting between the two teams. Tunisia have won on three occasions, Saudi have two wins and the other match was a draw.

Tunisia are without Francileudo Santos for their group opener against Saudi Arabia after the striker picked up a leg injury in a warm-up match. Coach Roger Lemerre has indicated that 19-year-old Yassine Chikhaoui will take his place.

Saudi Arabia are concerned about the fitness of their experienced campaigner Sami al-Jaber, who has been nursing a thigh injury. If Al-Jaber is ruled out, 23-year-old Yasser al-Qahtani will take his place.

Tunisia go into this match as favourites and it is not really a surprise considering Saudi Arabia's performance at the 2002 World Cup. They were thumped 8-0 by Germany and to be honest I really cannot see Saudi get any form of a result against their African opponents who have steadily improved after each World Cup.

Therefore I believe Tunisia should easily win this match. They now have players who play in top leagues around the world and I think that their class will overpower the Saudis. A 2-0 win is priced at 7/1 and a 3-1 win is at 16/1.

My prediction - Tunisia 2-0 at 7/1.

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