• Home
  • Football

Saudi Arabia vs Kuwait Predictions & Tips - BTTS Backed in Gulf Cup Opener

ryan-allan
Editor
Last updated: Mon 21 Sep 2026 16:09
Saudi Arabia open their Gulf Cup against rivals Kuwait in Jeddah, with both teams eager for a strong start. Saudi Arabia are winless in their last four matches, struggling defensively, while Kuwait come back after a lengthy layoff but have been involved in high-scoring contests. Historically, encounters between these sides have been close, and both squads have called up experienced players. The key recommendation is to back both teams to score, considering both sides’ recent tendency to concede and score goals.
Ryan Allan 1 hour ago
Share this article
Or copy link
  • Saudi Arabia host Kuwait in Gulf Cup, Group A
  • BTTS Backed in Wednesday’s Gulf Cup Contest
  • Get our Saudi Arabia vs Kuwait tips in the Gulf Cup
m
Mohamed Kanno of Saudi Arabia (Getty Images)

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.

Verdict

Saudi Arabia look too short to back in what could prove an entertaining Gulf Cup contest.

I have my stake on both teams to score at an attractive price. 

Best Bet1: BTTS Both Teams to Score @11/10 at bet365 - 2 Units
Best Bet2: Saudi Arabia 2-1 Correct Score @10/1 at dabble - 1 Unit
BTTS
Both Teams to Score
@11/10 - 2 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
Saudi Arabia 2-1
Correct Score
@10/1 - 1 Unit
Bet £10 Get £10
Promo Code: NEWBONUS

New customers only. Bet £10+ to receive £10 in Free Bets. 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. 18+. GambleAware.org

Bet at dabble
ryan-allan
Ryan Allan

Football Writer • 10+ Years Of Experience, Football Analyst

Ryan is a Barcelona-based football fanatic with 10+ years of experience as a sports writer and statistical analyst. He covers a number of leagues including from his native Scotland, Italy, Germany and more.


A huge fan of the goal markets, he specialises in BTTS and over 2.5 goal picks from the MLS to the Bundesliga and beyond.

He has also been featured on MightyTips and you can find more from Ryan on Muckrack and LinkedIn.

Read More

Top Betting Sites

special-offer-1Betting offers

Upcoming Events

17 September 2026

18 September 2026

Load More
23 Sep 2026

Saudi Arabia v Kuwait

days

hours

min

Add to Calendar
Hear more from Freetips.com