Saudi Arabia will begin their preparations for the World Cup finals with a friendly match against Colombia on Sunday.
The contest, which takes place on neutral grounds at the Estadio Enrique Roca in Murcia, also represents the start of a new era for Colombia, who failed to qualify for Qatar.
Match preview
© Reuters
Saudi Arabia are currently looking forward to their sixth World Cup finals appearance after making light work of the qualification process.
Herve Renard's side breezed through the second round of qualifying before replicating that feat in the third round by topping a group that featured Japan and Australia.
With their place in Qatar secured, the Green Falcons head to Murcia to begin their preparations for the biggest tournament in football, which begins in November.
They will face two South American teams in the South East of Spain, starting with a tricky encounter against Colombia on Sunday before facing Venezuela on Thursday.
Although Saudi Arabia have won just two of their previous seven internationals, they have the opportunity to clinch back-to-back victories after beating Australia in their most recent outing.
© Reuters
Colombia, on the other hand, have endured a tumultuous period after they missed out on qualification for the World Cup.
Despite losing fewer qualifying games than the teams that finished in third, fourth and fifth position, Colombia's inability to convert draws into victories cost them a spot in the top five of the standings.
After finishing one point adrift of a playoff place, the decision was subsequently made to remove Reinaldo Rueda from his position as head coach.
Rueda's successor was announced on Thursday, with Nesto Lorenzo the individual that has been tasked with leading La Tricolor, although the new boss is not expected to be at the helm for Sunday's contest.
With a new manager to impress, a much-changed Colombian squad will be motivated to showcase their talents against Saudi Arabia, as they bid to clinch a third consecutive victory.
- W
- D
- D
- W
- L
- W
- D
- L
- W
- L
- D
- W
- D
- D
- L
- W
- W
- W
- D
- W
- L
- L
- W
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Renard could give most of his squad playing time over the course of the encounters with Colombia and Venezuela, although he is expected to name a strong lineup to start Sunday's contest.
Ali Al-Bulaihi is expected to form a centre-back partnership with Al Shabab defender Hassan Al-Tambakti.
Saudi Arabia's forward line will be led by Firas Al-Buraikan, who found the net on three occasions in World Cup qualifying.
As for Colombia, they have named a 20-man squad for the friendly, with key individuals such as Yerry Mina and Luis Diaz left out, presenting fringe players an opportunity to impress on the international stage.
Tottenham Hotspur's Davinson Sanchez will be a key figure in an inexperienced backline that is expected to feature Daniel Munoz, Jhon Lucumi and Kevin Velasco.
Meanwhile, Europa League winner Rafael Santos Borre is the most likely candidate to lead the line for the South American side.
Saudi Arabia possible starting lineup:
Al-Owais; Al-Burayk, Al-Tambakti, Al-Bulaihi, Al-Shahrani; Kanno, Al-Najei; Bahebri, Al-Faraj, Al-Dawsari; Al-Buraikan
Colombia possible starting lineup:
Chunga; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Velasco; Balanta, Alzate; Agudelo, Campaz, Hernandez; Borre
We say: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Colombia
A full-strength Colombian squad would most likely enter Sunday's contest as favourites, but with the South Americans lacking experience, we think that Saudi Arabia will have enough in the locker to hold their opponents to a draw at the weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
