Uruguay vs South Korea Match Analysis & Prediction
24/11/2022 4:00 pm
Two-time winners Uruguay kick off their World Cup 2022 campaign against South Korea at the Education City Stadium on Thursday.
La Celeste have been in impressive run of form since Diego Alonso took over from Oscar Tabarez at the end of last year.
Alonso has come in and completely transformed a side that was on the floor following some poor results in South American qualifying, but he still does not know his best starting XI or best formation.
Tabarez was sacked with qualification in serious doubt after four consecutive defeats, including a disappointing 4-1 loss to Brazil and a 3-0 defeat away at Bolivia.
However, with four qualifiers left after the New Year, Alonso came in and won all four, with remarkable away victories over Chile and Paraguay being the highlights, and Luis Suarez still at the centre of everything good in the national team.
Getting the best out of their wide array of attacking options will be crucial, and Darwin Nunez, Suarez, Maxi Gomez and Edinson Cavani have all been among the goals this year, with Uruguay averaging two goals per game.
Meanwhile, South Korea head into the tournament with an under-fire manager and a squad which has underperformed in the build up to Qatar.
In addition, the worst possible turn of events struck the team on the eve of the competition, with Son Heung-min going off injured in the Champions League, requiring surgery on a fractured eye socket.
If head coach Paulo Bento decides to risk him from the start, there is also the chance he will not be perfect having had such a disruptive preparation to the tournament.
With Heung-min a doubt, that will put more pressure on their solid defence, but after conceding just three goals in their 10 AFC final stage qualifiers, they have proved they can be relied upon.
Uruguay vs. South Korea Head to head
These two nations have previously met on five occasions across two competitions, where Uruguay have claimed four victories while South Korea have won one. Uruguay have scored seven goals and conceded three in the process.
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21/06/1990Korea Republic0Uruguay1World Cup
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24/03/2007Korea Republic0Uruguay2Friendlies
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26/06/2010Uruguay2Korea Republic1World Cup
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08/09/2014Korea Republic0Uruguay1Friendlies
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12/10/2018Korea Republic2Uruguay1Friendlies
Uruguay Team News
Ronald Araujo may not be risked in this group opener for Uruguay as the defender has been fast-tracked back into training following a thigh operation.
Diego Godin may come in to deputise alongside Jose Maria Gimenez, while Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Facundo Pellistri could start in attack alongside Luis Suarez.
Uruguay's Last 5 Matches
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03/06/2022Mexico0Uruguay3Friendlies
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06/06/2022United States0Uruguay0Friendlies
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11/06/2022Uruguay5Panama0Friendlies
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23/09/2022Iran1Uruguay0Friendlies
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27/09/2022Canada0Uruguay2Friendlies
South Korea Team News
Kim Min-jae played every qualifier and he is now doing the same at the top level with a Napoli side dominating in Serie A and the Champions League, so should start here.
Lee Kang-in is one of those players who has proved his creative capabilities in La Liga with Real Mallorca this season.
South Korea's Last 5 Matches
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24/07/2022Korea Republic3Hong Kong0EAFF E-1 Football Championship
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27/07/2022Japan3Korea Republic0EAFF E-1 Football Championship
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23/09/2022Korea Republic2Costa Rica2Friendlies
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27/09/2022Korea Republic1Cameroon0Friendlies
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11/11/2022Korea Republic1Iceland0Friendlies
Uruguay vs. South Korea: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
Uruguay or X: Yes
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