Football Results

The second round of the group phase starts with duel between the hosts, Russia, and Egypt. After the first round the Russian can be satisfied as they defeated Saudi Arabia by sound 5-0 at the opening of the World Cup, while the Egyptians lost to Uruguay 1-0. It means that Egypt is under much stronger pressure as a new defeat would probably mean end of hopes to reach the knockout phase, and it is quite realistic to expect that freshly recovered Salah gets chance to play from the first minute. Let’s add that this is the first head-to-head in history between the two national team.

Russia

We have said in the introduction that the hosts of 2018 World Cup couldn’t have better start as they won all three points in the first match at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow far easier than expected against Saudi Arabia, which they won by even 5-0. It is natural that the result raises eyebrows since the Russians had seven-game winless streak in friendlies played before of even four losses and three draws. In fact, very few believed that the Russians can do something at the World Cup regardless that is played in their country where they will enjoy great support from the stands.

Still, team led by manager Cherchesov had surprised absolutely everyone with great performance against the Saudis, who, we must add, had made their job much easier with terrible game both in defence and attack, which was totally harmless. On the other hand, the Russians had used almost all Saudis’ mistakes. Midfielder Golovin made a name for himself with one goal and even three assistances, while substitute Cheryshev scored even two goals. Cheryshev replaced injured Dzagoev around middle of first half and this time will be probably a starter, while the rest of the team should be like in the first match.

Probable lineups Russsia: Akinfeev – Fernandes, Kutepov, Ignashevich, Zhirkov – Gazinskiy, Zobnin – Samedov, Golovin, Cheryshev – Smolov

Egypt

Unlike the Russians who can be satisfied with the first match at the World Cup we believe that all Egypt football fans are still sorry from missed chance to pull off one point from match with very strong Uruguay, given that Egypt received the only goal no sooner than in 89 minute from set-piece. Before that team led by manager Cuper played well, especially in defence, where goalie El Shenawy did especially well and was consequently named the player of the match despite that his team lost by 1-0. El Shenawy couldn’t do a thing when Gimenez scored the header and now the Egyptians must focus on two remaining matches, and especially on this one in which face direct rival for the second place in the group, Russia.

The biggest problem for the Egyptians would be in case of draw that goal difference would most likely decide which team ends on the second place in the group since the Russians won Saudi Arabia by 5-0 and it is hard to expect that they can do something similar in the last round. Right because of that we expect from Cuper to set far more offensive tactic against the Russians than he had done against Uruguay, which means we can expect Egypt’s biggest star Salah on the pitch from the first minute, who is not fully ready yet. Besides him, fleet-footed Sobhi could get chance at the left flank instead of Trezeguet, while Morsy could replace not fully recovered Hamed in the midfield.

Probable lineups Egypt: El Shenawy – Fathy, Gabr, Hegazy, Abdel-Shafi – Elneny, Morsy – Salah, Said, Sobhi – Mohsen

Verdict:

Regardless of fact that the host team won Saudi Arabia by even 5-0 in the first match of the 2018 World Cup, everyone agrees that was not a true measure of their strength and we would like to give advantage to the Egyptians, especially as they would lost the last chance to reach the round of 16 if they lose the second match in a row.

Pick: Draw 3.24 - 224/100 @1XBet