Six host nations have lifted the World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1930. This year it’s Russia who have the honour of welcoming the world to their country for football’s biggest event. Perks of being the host nation include guaranteed qualification to the finals so there was never any danger of the Russians not featuring at this stage. They stand as the sole European representatives in Group A, just one of two groups to feature only one UEFA member.
Joining the host nation in Group A are two-time former champions Uruguay. The South Americans actually play with four stars above their team logo but this is because they choose to include their Olympic football victories in 1924 and 1928. Boasting no stars are the other two nations in the group, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who have little history in this competition. Egypt have failed to exit the group stages in their previous two attempts while Saudi Arabia’s best effort saw them reach the round of 16 in 1994.
Matchday Three: 25th June 2018
| Date | Time | Match | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th June 2018 | 15:00 | Uruguay v Russia | 1-1 Draw |
| 25th June 2018 | 15:00 | Saudi Arabia v Egypt | Egypt Win & BTTS |
We have reached matchday three of Group A at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with Uruguay and Russia both safely through to the Round of 16. On Monday afternoon, the Uruguayans and the hosts meet at the Cosmos Arena in Samara to determine who will finish in first place in Group A. With a far superior goal difference, a draw will see the Russians top the group ahead of Uruguay. It will be interesting to see just how good Russia are though, with this their first clash against any sort of quality opponent.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia and Egypt go head-to-head at the Volgograd Arena. The pair are already out, but both will want to close the curtain on their World Cup campaign with a win and a third-place finish.
Uruguay v Russia
Monday 25th June, 15:00, ITV
Oscar Tabarez’s Uruguay and Stanislav Cherchesov’s Russia meet at the Cosmos Arena on Monday afternoon. With first place up for grabs in Group A, this promises to be an interesting game in Samara. Even though they have been far from scintillating at this World Cup, Tabarez’s troops go into this one as the slight favourites. However, Russia have been superb so far, so don’t rule them out just yet. With Portugal or Spain waiting in the next round it’s unclear what, if any, benefit winning the group will bring but both bosses will be keen to keep their momentum building.
Uruguay kicked off their campaign with a last-gasp win over Egypt in Yekaterinburg. The Sky Blues needed an 89th-minute winner by defender Jose Gimenez to start with a 1-0 victory. Tabarez’s side then followed that up with a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia at the Rostov Arena, with Barcelona ace Luis Suarez scoring the only goal of the game in Rostov-on-Don. Despite not playing well, Uruguay have safely booked their place in the knockout rounds.
As for the hosts, Russia have been outstanding in their home tournament so far, despite coming into the finals on a long run of winless games. After getting the competition underway with an emphatic 5-0 win over the Saudis in Moscow, the Russians then eased to a 3-1 victory against the Egyptians in Saint Petersburg last Tuesday. In doing so, Cherchesov’s men became the first nation to progress to the Round of 16 at this World Cup.
With Uruguay being below par to this point, Russia will fancy their chances in this one. The Uruguayans are obviously the favourites, but we can see the Russians holding them to a draw on Monday and thus topping the pile. Check out BetVictor’s top price of 11/2 for the 1-1 stalemate between Uruguay and Russia.
1-1 Draw – 11/2 at BetVictor
Saudi Arabia v Egypt
Monday 25th June, 15:00, ITV 4
Juan Antonio Pizzi’s Saudi Arabia play Hector Cuper’s Egypt in their final Group A game at this World Cup at the Volgograd Arena on Monday afternoon. Only a win will see the Saudis leapfrog the Egyptians in the table, while the bookies have the Pharaohs as their slight favourites in this one. Although neither side have anything to play for but pride, we’re still expecting an entertaining matchup in Volgograd with no pressure for either nation.
After a woeful display against Russia to kick off the tournament, Saudi Arabia were far better against Uruguay in their second group game. Only a lack of cutting edge in attack stopped the Green Falcons from taking something against the Uruguayans after Luis Suarez had given Tabarez’s team the lead on 23 minutes. After a 5-0 drubbing in their opener, Pizzi and his side will have been relatively pleased with Wednesday’s narrow defeat.
Egypt have huffed and puffed in Group A, ultimately missing a 100% fit Mohamed Salah. After weeks on the side-lines with a shoulder injury, a half-fit Salah played and scored in Egypt’s 3-1 loss to Russia, which saw them eliminated from the competition. In truth, the Pharaohs struggled to recover from their heart-breaking defeat to Uruguay in their first match in Russia. A late goal their got them off to a losing start and they were unable to recover.
Both teams will be desperate to avoid finishing bottom of this group. However, with Salah expected to play, we’re backing Cuper’s Egypt to nick a close encounter at the Volgograd Arena. Having said that, we also fancy Saudi Arabia to score their first goal at a World Cup for 12 years. The Egypt win and both sides to notch is generously priced at odds of 10/3 with Bet365.
Egypt Win & BTTS – 10/3 at Bet365
Matchday Two: 19th & 20th June 2018
| Date | Time | Match | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19th June 2018 | 19:00 | Russia v Egypt | Russia to Win 1-0 |
| 20th June 2018 | 16:00 | Uruguay v Saudi Arabia | Uruguay to Win -2 |
After an enthralling matchday one in Group A at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the second games in the group take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. After an emphatic victory over Saudi Arabia in the tournament’s opener, hosts Russia can book their place in the knockout rounds with a win against Egypt in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday night. The following day, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia square off at the Rostov Arena. Can the Russians and Uruguayans each make it six points out of six before locking horns in Samara in their final group game?
Russia v Egypt
Tuesday 19th June, 19:00, BBC
Stanislav Cherchesov’s Russia and Hector Cuper’s Egypt go head-to-head at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg for their second Group A fixture of this World Cup. Having wiped the floor with Saudi Arabia in their opening game, the Russians will be targeting another three points to become the first team to reach the Round of 16. However, it’s make or break for the Egyptians, who could welcome back their star man Mohamed Salah. Which way will this intriguing fixture go at the Krestovsky Stadium on Tuesday?
Despite going into the game with enormous pressure on their shoulders, Russia took the game to the Saudis from the very first whistle in Moscow, making the breakthrough after just 12 minutes. Yury Gazinsky set them on their way, with Denis Cheryshev (2), Artem Dzyuba and Aleksandr Golovin getting in on the act to seal an impressive 5-0 win. As for the Pharaohs, they put in a brave performance against Group A favourites Uruguay, only to be beaten by an 89th-minute Jose Gimenez header. Mo Salah was expected to play a part, but Cuper opted against risking his star player. With Egypt needing a result in Saint Petersburg, expect to see the Liverpool ace at some point.
Russia were tipped to have a poor tournament, with their form so dire heading into the World Cup. However, after answering their critics in emphatic style last Thursday, Cherchesov’s side will be the first nation safely through to the last 16 with a win at the Krestovsky Stadium on Tuesday night. With or without Salah, Egypt will no question have another good go, but we fancy the Russians to hold firm and get the three points. One goal could be enough to settle a tight game on Tuesday, so have a punt on a 1-0 Russian win at 11/2 with Bet365.
Russia to Win 1-0 – 11/2 at Bet365
Uruguay v Saudi Arabia
Wednesday 20th June, 16:00, BBC
The second Group A fixture of the week takes place at the Rostov Arena between Uruguay and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. After an unconvincing display against Egypt in Yekaterinburg in their opening game in Russia, Oscar Tabarez’s troops will be hoping to make life a little easier for themselves on Wednesday. As for Juan Antonio Pizzi’s Saudis, they will be desperate to avoid another heavy defeat.
Uruguay’s big stars were well off the pace against the Egyptians, with the likes of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani hardly getting a sniff. Luckily for them, Gimenez rose highest in the box with a minute to go to spare La Celeste’s blushes and give them a priceless win. Pizzi’s Green Falcons found life very tough at the Luzhniki Stadium on Thursday, failing to recover from Russia’s goal after just 12 minutes. Saudi Arabia have suffered some huge defeats at World Cups over the years, will we see yet another one on Wednesday?
We expect Uruguay to be back to their blistering best in this one. To be fair, Egypt were tough opponents last week, and Tabarez’s men still found a way to secure a vital win at the death. Things will no doubt be an awful lot easier for the Sky Blue on Wednesday, and we’re predicting a big win for the Uruguayans. With that in mind, take a punt on Betfair’s tempting odds of 11/8 for Uruguay to win with a -2 handicap in Rostov-on-Don.
Uruguay to Win -2 – 11/8 at Betfair
Matchday One: 14th & 15th June 2018
| Date | Time | Match | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14th June 2018 | 16:00 | Russia v Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabia to win or draw |
| 15th June 2018 | 13:00 | Egypt v Uruguay | Uruguay to nil |
All the focus will be on Russia and Saudi Arabia this Thursday as the pair play the sole fixture of the World Cup’s opening day. The world will be watching as the two nations look to make an immediate mark on the competition when they meet in a packed Luzhniki Stadium. The following day we see if Egypt are capable of upsetting the odds against group favourites Uruguay. None of the Egyptian players have participated in the World Cup before while the La Celeste squad is full of plenty of experienced heads.
Russia v Saudi Arabia
Thursday 14th June, 16:00, ITV
Optimism must be low among the Russian camp as they enter this World Cup after seven games without a win. Their inability to create chances has been a significant reason behind this barren patch. Recent friendlies against Austria and Turkey demonstrated how limited they are in attack as across the two matches Salamovich Cherchesov’s men registered just one shot on target. Defensively the Russia manager won’t have too many concerns but he needs goals if he’s going to inspire his men to a win on this World Cup curtain raiser.
Not only will their poor form likely hinder their cause but Russia face an absentee list far longer than most at the World Cup. The likes of Georgi Dzhikiya, Viktor Vasin and Alexander Kokorin are all missing with serious injuries while Cherchesov was unable to persuade the Berezutski brothers or Sergei Ignashevich out of retirement. The talented Igor Denisov will also not feature after he fell out with Cherchesov back in 2015 and the pair have not resolved their differences since.
With Russia far form a formidable foe, Saudi Arabia should be backed to avoid defeat in this clash. Their price of 2/1 to win or draw is hugely surprising given the troubles of the host nation and it’s not like Saudi Arabia have performed poorly against European opposition. Only a fine late stop from Gianluigi Donnarumma prevented them securing a draw against Italy and a penalty miss saw them miss out on the same result against Germany. The pace of the Green Falcons was a threat against Die Mannschaft and they can use that to good effect against a Russian defence without a clean sheet in eight matches.
Saudi Arabia to win or draw – 2/1 at Bet365
Egypt v Uruguay
Friday 15th June, 13:00, BBC One
Mohamed Salah is set to make his return from injury sooner than initially thought in what will be a huge boost for his side. Now likely to feature against Uruguay, the Liverpool star will offer the Pharaohs some much needed penetration after a series of drab attacking displays. Without him, Egypt scored just one goal in their three recent friendlies and this was hardly an unfair return for their efforts. How Salah will fare on his first World Cup appearance following a heart-breaking Champions League final however remains to be seen.
There haven’t been too many defences capable of keeping Salah quiet since his Liverpool switch but Uruguay stand a better chance than most. Gimenez and Godin form the heart of their defence and the two play their club football at one the best defensive sides in the world, Atletico Madrid. With the hugely experienced Muslera behind them in goal, Uruguay will take some breaking down here. They completely nullified the threat of Gareth Bale when meeting Wales in the China Cup final and this experience of dealing with a major attacking talent will prove useful here.
Egypt’s defence has looked largely solid in recent weeks and when playing against Belgium it took a moment of brilliance from Eden Hazard to break the deadlock. Luis Suarez is a man capable of producing magic for Uruguay though and the Barca man could make the difference here. He’s formed a great connection with the similarly prolific Edison Cavani and the pair will likely have too much for a committed but ultimately limited Egyptian defence. With more players capable of making the difference and superior levels of World Cup experience, Oscar Tabarez and his men must be backed for this one.
Uruguay to win to nil – 13/10 at BetVictor