Czech Republic — Saudi Arabia : Match Preview and Prediction for September 08,2025

Czech Republic’s Recent Form and Attacking Woes

The Czechs approach this match following a challenging, yet ultimately successful, trip to Montenegro. A 2-0 victory in World Cup qualifiers is a positive result, but the overall performance raised concerns. Ivan Hasek’s squad generated numerous opportunities, yet their finishing was, to put it mildly, severely lacking, with the second goal only arriving in the 90+6th minute. Now, their attacking outlook appears even more uncertain.

Significant Squad Depletions

The most significant blow to their offensive capabilities comes from personnel losses. The national team has been deprived of three players simultaneously. David Doudera and Vaclav Kusej, crucial wide players from Slavia Prague, are sidelined due to muscle injuries. Kusej, in particular, has been one of the team’s most productive assets. Their absence creates a massive void in both creativity and pace.

Forced Rotations and Tactical Challenges

Furthermore, by mutual agreement, defender Ladislav Krejci has left the squad to finalize transfer arrangements. Losing three key individuals from the lineup isn’t merely a setback; it’s a clear signal that Hasek will be compelled to experiment. The coach himself has openly stated his intention to give opportunities to players with less match experience, including potential debutants. Such extensive rotations rarely benefit team cohesion or offensive potency.

Persistent Attacking Inefficiency

Even against Montenegro, when their attack was at full strength, the Czechs squandered clear-cut chances. Media outlets highlighted a troubling inability to deliver the decisive blow, particularly on counter-attacks. Now, without their primary creative forces, generating genuinely dangerous opportunities against the Saudis will be doubly difficult.

Saudi Arabia’s Tactical Strength

Czech coach Ivan Hasek, who previously worked in Saudi Arabia, rightly describes this opponent as ‘very, very strong.’ He highlights the team’s immense progress, their technical proficiency, and speed. Under the guidance of the experienced Herve Renard, the Saudis have transformed into a resilient, tactically astute collective that excels at disciplined defending and rarely concedes significant chances.

Key Attacking Doubt: Salem Al-Dawsari

However, the Saudis also face considerable challenges, primarily in their attack. Their main star and most creative player, Salem Al-Dawsari, is questionable for the match. Hasek, who coached him in his youth, refers to him as an ‘incredibly exciting player,’ capable of unpredictable, high-speed actions. His potential absence would be a colossal blow to the visitors’ offensive potency.

Squad Concerns and Prioritizing World Cup Qualifiers

Furthermore, reports from the national team camp have indicated health issues for other players, including Nasser Al-Dawsari and Ziyad Al-Jehani. This suggests that Renard will likely be unable to field his absolute strongest lineup. The team is preparing for crucial World Cup qualifying matches in October, and no one will risk the health of key players in a friendly.

Defensive Solidity Outweighs Offensive Output

Their previous encounter against North Macedonia (a 2-1 victory) should not mislead. While the Saudis won, their xG (expected goals) statistic was merely 1.35. In contrast, their opponent generated chances amounting to only 0.19 xG. This demonstrates that Saudi Arabia does not create a plethora of scoring opportunities, yet they operate with extreme defensive reliability, conceding almost nothing in front of their goal.