Serbia vs Saudi Arabia: Team News, Predictions, and Lineups Preview
The international friendly at the TSC Arena in Bačka Topola sees Serbia host Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Both teams arrive seeking a response after heavy defeats in their opening March fixtures.
Match context
Serbia failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. They finished third in Group K with four wins, one draw and three defeats.
The side collected 13 points, 11 fewer than group winners England. Albania finished a point ahead and moved to the playoff stage.
Veljko Paunović took charge for the final two qualifiers. His results were a 2-0 loss to England and a 2-1 victory over Latvia.
Serbia began 2026 with a 3-0 defeat to Spain at the Estadio de la Cerámica. This will be their first ever meeting with Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia outlook
Saudi Arabia did qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America. They progressed through the Asian second round and then needed a mini playoff.
In the third stage they finished third behind Japan and Australia with 13 points from ten games. Saudi beat Indonesia and drew with Iraq in October to top the playoff group on goals scored.
The Green Falcons are drawn with Uruguay, Spain and Cape Verde at the World Cup. Their objective remains reaching the knockout rounds for the first time since 1994.
They arrive in Serbia after a 4-0 defeat to Egypt in their recent friendly.
Form guide
- Serbia form (all competitions): L L W L W L
- Saudi Arabia form (all competitions): W W L W L L
Team News
This Serbia vs Saudi Arabia: Team News, Predictions, and Lineups Preview outlines key selection notes. Paunović is expected to rotate players across the March friendlies for minutes.
Predrag Rajković, Strahinja Eraković, Stefan Bukinac and Kosta Nedeljković are among those pushing for starts. Sasa Lukić, Lazar Samardžić and Luka Jović could also feature.
Saudi coach Hervé Renard has selection changes after the Egypt defeat. Moteb Al‑Harbi is injured, and Ali Lajami and Hassan Kadesh were left at home.
Mohammed Al‑Owais has been recalled in goal. Rayan Hamed, Muteb Al‑Mufarrij, Naif Masoud, Marwan Al‑Sahafi and Abdullah Al‑Hamdan are in contention.
Lineups Preview
Managers are likely to balance experiment and stability. Both teams may hand opportunities to squad players ahead of summer tournaments.
| Serbia (possible) | Saudi Arabia (possible) |
|---|---|
| Rajković; Nedeljković, Milenković, Eraković, Bukinac; Gudelj, Lukić; Birmancević, Samardžić, Kostić; Jović | Al‑Aqidi; Abdulhamid, Hamed, Al‑Amri, Al‑Mufarrij; Kanno, Masoud; Al‑Faraj, Al‑Hamdan, Al‑Sahafi; Al‑Buraikan |
Bench and rotation
Serbia could introduce fresh legs in the second half. Paunović aims to spread minutes across his squad.
Renard may adjust personnel to test defensive options and attacking combinations. The match offers a final tune-up before the summer.
Predictions
Serbia face a tougher recent opponent in Spain. That defeat came against elite opposition.
On balance, Serbia should edge this friendly at home. Filmogaz.com predicts a narrow win for the hosts.
