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Posted by: Mack. 29th May 2018, 07:26 PM

Thursday 14 June

Russia vs Saudi Arabia - Moscow (Luzhniki) - 4pm - ITV


Friday 15 June

Egypt vs Uruguay (Group A) - Ekaterinburg - 1pm - BBC


Tuesday 19 June
Russia vs Egypt (Group A) - St Petersburg - 7pm - BBC


Wednesday 20 June
Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia (Group A) - Rostov-on-Don - 4pm - BBC


Monday 25 June

Uruguay vs Russia (Group A) - Samara - 3pm - ITV
Saudi Arabia vs Egypt (Group A) - Volgograd - 3pm - ITV



Odds to win Group A: (Coral)

Uruguay 4-5f
Russia 8-5
Egypt 11-2
Saudi Arabia 33-1


Who do you think will go through in Group A?

Posted by: Suedehead2 29th May 2018, 10:07 PM

Russia v Saudi Arabia must be the least attractive opening fixture of a World Cup for a long time. Of course, we could all be wrong and it might be a nine-goal thriller.

Posted by: Evil Houdini 29th May 2018, 10:27 PM

Russia vs Saudi Arabia has 1-1 draw written all over it.

Posted by: The Snake 🐍 30th May 2018, 02:31 PM

Russia were frustrating to watch in Euro 2016, they played fast attacking football but couldn't score

Posted by: ML Hammer95 30th May 2018, 03:38 PM

Were you watching the same tournament as the rest of us? They were just about the worst team in a needlessly enlarged competition, even England should have thrashed them but somehow conspired not to. I miss the Russian team of Euro 2008 and the dark horses of Euro 2012.

On another note, Uruguay for a surprise semi final place? Previews suggest they have a new generation of technically sound and exciting midfielders to compliment their normal solid defence and two of the best strikers in European football.

Posted by: DJHazey 31st May 2018, 02:31 PM

Simulated Results

RUS 3:0 KSA
EGY 1:1 URU
RUS 0:2 EGY
URU 4:0 KSA
KSA 0:1 EGY
RUS 1:2 URU


Uruguay [2-0-1] [7pts.] [7-2]
Egypt [2-0-1] [7pts.] [4-1]
Russia [1-2-0] [3pts.] [4-4]
Saudi Arabia [0-3-0] [0pts.] [0-8]

Posted by: ┴פsᴉʍ/ 31st May 2018, 08:17 PM

Yeah, Russia were really slow and terrible at Euro 16. Hopefully they've improved since then. I don't agree about the needlessly enlarged part though, I really enjoyed seeing some new teams like Iceland and Albania and only Russia and Ukraine played poor enough to suggest the tournament could have done without them.


As long as Salah's fit I think Egypt will dominate this group. Uruguay to finish 2nd and reach the last 16 but I can't see them progressing any further after that.

Posted by: Evil Houdini 31st May 2018, 10:31 PM

The problem with Euro 2016 was the format of the competition, 3rd place in most of the groups would have got a team through to the knockout stage and that's even how the eventual winners Portugal qualified. 3 and 4 points were enough for the 3rd placed teams to make it through to the next round so a lot of teams played for draws instead of trying to win so that made matches less entertaining to watch.


I will not be surprised if Russia fail to win a match at this World Cup, they could end up being the worst performing host team in history.

Posted by: Mack. 3rd June 2018, 03:15 PM

Yes Russia v Saudi Arabia could be the worst opening game of a World Cup. Previous opening games have been good.

Posted by: Mack. 14th June 2018, 02:32 PM

Can see it being a score draw between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Posted by: Iz 14th June 2018, 02:55 PM

I don't think so, I can see it getting a bit dirty and with a fair few goals scored. From the Russian side, the cynic in me is thinking the Saudis will have been instructed to be on their best behaviour in order to not give the referee any excuses.

Posted by: Mack. 14th June 2018, 02:58 PM

Of course I hope to be proved wrong.

Posted by: Mack. 14th June 2018, 03:01 PM

I think VAR will be used in this match.

Posted by: Mack. 14th June 2018, 03:14 PM

What a moment to score your first international goal for Gazinsky.

Posted by: Evil Houdini 14th June 2018, 03:18 PM

Russia are all over Saudi Arabia at the moment! It's looking like it could be a thrashing at this rate.

Posted by: Iz 14th June 2018, 03:23 PM

The first few minutes Saudi seemed in control. This may knock their confidence but I can see a way back for them if they don't get too rattled.

Posted by: Mack. 14th June 2018, 03:33 PM

Saudi just starting to get their confidence back.

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds 14th June 2018, 03:46 PM

Aaand another one for Russia. Good goal to be fair, although I'm behind Saudi.

Posted by: Mack. 14th June 2018, 03:46 PM

Having said that Russia have scored again.

Saudis defence very poor for the second goal. Look weak when other team on the counter attack.

Posted by: Evil Houdini 14th June 2018, 04:02 PM

I think Russia will get at least another goal in this match, Saudi Arabia have been so poor for the large majority of this match so far.


Saudi Arabia will most likely end up without a point if they don't get anything in this match because Egypt and Uruguay will surely beat them.

Posted by: Suedehead2 14th June 2018, 04:05 PM

A surprisingly positive performance from Russia so far.

Posted by: Mack. 14th June 2018, 04:10 PM

Saudi Arabia really need to do something early now in this half!

Posted by: ElectroBoy 14th June 2018, 04:33 PM

I think its curtains now - they're not going to be able to even claw back a draw.

Although given how easily Saudia Arabia are giving away the ball wouldn't surprise me if it was Russian interference

Posted by: Mack. 14th June 2018, 04:34 PM

And they didn't.

An instant impact from the Russia sub.

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds 14th June 2018, 04:35 PM

Poor Saudi I guess they were lucky to make the finals anyway.

Posted by: Suedehead2 14th June 2018, 04:38 PM

Unless they've received a concession from the authorities, the Saudi players will still be observing Ramadan. It will be over in time for their remaining two matches.

Posted by: Iz 14th June 2018, 04:53 PM

The Saudis are always hilariously awful at the World Cup but I really thought this would be different for them. Shoddy work and fair play to the Russians, that'll restore some host confidence. They've probably got a round of 16 run in them now.

Posted by: Jacob~ 14th June 2018, 04:55 PM

So um, rekt.

Posted by: Dobbo 14th June 2018, 04:56 PM

Difficult to tell if that means Russia should be taken more seriously as a genuine threat or that SA are just there to make up the numbers.

Posted by: Evil Houdini 14th June 2018, 05:00 PM

Saudi Arabia made Russia look like 2011 Barcelona in that match! An absolutely abysmal performance from them, that free kick at the end was quality though. Russia Vs Egypt will be interesting, the winner of that match will have a very strong chance of making it to the knockout stage.

Posted by: DJHazey 14th June 2018, 05:00 PM

Haha, yeah we'll see when Russia takes on Egypt, that's the real match of this group. Russia just took the energy of opening night and an inferior opponent and ran with it.

Posted by: Evil Houdini 14th June 2018, 05:13 PM

Saudi Arabia have a knack of conceding a lot of goals at the World Cup. They conceded 12 goals in 3 matches at the 2002 World Cup which included an 8-0 defeat to Germany. They've finished bottom of their group in multiple World Cups, They're definitely here to make up the numbers.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 14th June 2018, 05:16 PM

Oh no, poor Saudi. I thought they may have actually ran Russia quite close given neither are obvious favourites but wasn't to be, I have them in my family sweepstake so this wasn't the best start Good game from Russia in all fairness, the later matches in this group will see if this whether it's genuine or if they just wanted to look the best on their opening.

Posted by: Iz 14th June 2018, 05:24 PM

Shouldn’t have been relevant because the teams are completely different but with most of their players in their domestic league and used to the rather weak Asian competition, their situation is pretty bad for producing players that match up to European sides.

The generational continuation of their embarrassing legacy is amusing though. As it goes for Asian teams that aren’t SK, Japan or Iran and sometimes even them. The continent needs to sort itself out.

Posted by: Rooney 14th June 2018, 07:09 PM

Didn't Saudi do alright in qualifying? God help the rest of the Asian teams if so. Russia are not even that good.

Posted by: Suedehead2 14th June 2018, 07:30 PM

They did a good deal better than Qatar who will, of course, be hosting the thing next time.

Posted by: Mack. 14th June 2018, 09:13 PM

I fear it will get much worse for Saudi when they play Egypt and Uruguay.

Posted by: Suedehead2 15th June 2018, 01:25 PM

Egypt v Uruguay has been woeful so far. Let's hope it remains the worst match of the tournament.

Posted by: Iz 15th June 2018, 01:32 PM

Uruguay are never really a particularly exciting side and they've been keeping the Egypt team well contained, but then they're being countered by the Egyptians surprisingly well on the other half. So a 0-0.

Posted by: DJHazey 15th June 2018, 01:51 PM

Gimenez in the 89th minute. 1-0 Uruguay.

Posted by: Mack. 15th June 2018, 02:11 PM

Seems like I didn't miss much.

Posted by: Evil Houdini 15th June 2018, 03:19 PM

Egypt were unlucky to lose late in the match like that, Uruguay didn't play well. Egypt's match against Russia is one that they cant afford to lose otherwise they will be out of the World Cup.

Posted by: Mack. 15th June 2018, 05:33 PM

Suarez's attempts in that match

Posted by: The Snake 18th June 2018, 08:22 PM

Egypt vs Russia could be a great match tomorrow, Russia of course have proved they can attack well and score goals from their first match, and Egypt of course will be pushing for the win.

Posted by: Steve201 18th June 2018, 10:33 PM

Yeh should be fun!

Posted by: Mack. 18th June 2018, 11:14 PM

Hopefully Salah back for Egypt it could be a good game. A far more sterner test for Russia in this match compared to Saudi Arabia.

Posted by: Mack. 19th June 2018, 05:34 PM

So onto the second round of group games.

Salah will start for Egypt.

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds 19th June 2018, 07:18 PM

Well that went downhill very quickly for Egypt.

Posted by: Iz 19th June 2018, 07:20 PM

Man, Russia are really riding one high home advantage wave, aren't they.

putin's bribe budget must be hurting, it's a high price to humiliate teams and not just beat them

Posted by: Mack. 19th June 2018, 07:22 PM

That was something from Russia. Egypt 's defence has completely collapsed.

Posted by: Mack. 19th June 2018, 07:22 PM

Well I was wrong there! with being a more sterner test.

Posted by: Rooney 19th June 2018, 07:22 PM

Russia have been alright, Egypt have been terrible. Salah is obviously nowhere near fit, he's not moving right at all or anywhere close to how he can be.

Posted by: Evil Houdini 19th June 2018, 08:43 PM

I didn't think Russia would get out of this group but after that victory they're certain to make it now I think. Egypt will be heading out of the tournament, unlucky for Salah.

Posted by: The Snake 19th June 2018, 08:49 PM

I wouldn't put it past Russia considering the good form they are in to beat Uruguay in their last group game (although that might be a step too far considering Uruguay are very good defensively from what I can remember)

Posted by: Iz 19th June 2018, 08:53 PM

Pattern to Russia not making it now:

Uruguay 0-1 Saudi Arabia
Uruguay 4-0 Russia
Saudi Arabia 8-0 Egypt

I'll put that down as a possible.

On the flipside, pattern to Egypt making it now:

Uruguay 0-2 Saudi Arabia
Uruguay 0-2 Russia
Egypt 2-0 Saudi Arabia

Potentially possible? The unrealistic thing there is the key match, the one tomorrow. The group's all but decided and if it's anything other than a Saudi win, it is.

Posted by: Dobbo 19th June 2018, 08:57 PM

People really were quick to write off Russia's chances weren't they (myself included admittedly). Reckon' they'll win the group now on GD with a draw with Uruguay in their last match.

Egypt were awfully disappointing...

Posted by: Rooney 19th June 2018, 10:04 PM

Russia have surprised me too, they might fluke it through to the Quarter Finals. Likelihood is they will play Denmark (if I'm right in thinking?).

They've played two poor teams so far so you can't really read too much in to it.

Posted by: Dobbo 19th June 2018, 10:11 PM

They'd play one of the teams from Group B (likelihood is either Spain or Portugal but can't write Iran off either just yet!)

Posted by: Mack. 19th June 2018, 10:22 PM

Very disappointing in that match from Egypt. I can see Uruguay beating Russia when they play in their final group game.

Posted by: Mack. 19th June 2018, 10:30 PM

If Saudi Arabia play like they did in the first match, it could be another heavy defeat for them against Uruguay who would feel they have a point to prove after scraping past Egypt.

Posted by: Suedehead2 20th June 2018, 04:22 PM

They're not proving it so far.

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds 20th June 2018, 04:33 PM

I thought Uruguay would be better than this. I worry for them in the match against Russia.

Posted by: Rooney 20th June 2018, 05:50 PM

I'm calling it now, a drab 0-0

Also, I only watched half of the game, but Ronaldo was absolute garbage. Honestly these days he either comes up a great goal or is absolutely terrible.

Posted by: Steve201 20th June 2018, 06:00 PM

He doesn't have the pace anymore but because age doesn't effect your ability to take set plays and heading the ball he still has good stats. If you watch him he barely moves other than when the ball is really close!

Posted by: Dobbo 20th June 2018, 06:14 PM

Garbage lol. He's playing in average team and is literally carrying them this tournament. He'll get the golden boot with ease the way it's going.

Posted by: Mack. 20th June 2018, 06:20 PM

One of the worst games of the World Cup so far between Uruguay and Saudi Arabia there.

Posted by: Suedehead2 20th June 2018, 07:57 PM

He's still one behind Mr Og.

Posted by: Rooney 20th June 2018, 09:22 PM

He carries the team, but he misses so many easy chances. They could be well out of sight if he didn't go full Ronaldo sometimes. He blasted a free kick in to a wall a couple of times and skied a shot he should have buried.

Argentina have the same problem as well. But at least Ronaldo can take a decent penalty.

Posted by: Steve201 20th June 2018, 11:24 PM

Which is exactly my point, I didn't say he wasn't good only that he doesn't or can't play at full throttle any longer but his ability to score set pieces means he is still the centre of much of the goal scoring!

Posted by: Evil Houdini 25th June 2018, 02:25 PM

It looks like Uruguay will be winning this group! They'll most likely face Portugal in the next round.

Posted by: Mack. 25th June 2018, 02:45 PM

All going pear-shaped for the hosts today. Now down to 10 men.

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds 25th June 2018, 03:53 PM

I needn't have been worried

Posted by: Evil Houdini 25th June 2018, 03:59 PM

Watching paint dry would have been more entertaining than watching Egypt Vs Saudi Arabia. It's no surprise now that these are the two teams going out of the World Cup from Group A, I thought Egypt would have made it through before the tournament started but they have been very uninspiring.


And now Saudi Arabia have scored in the last minute which means Egypt are bottom with no points.

Posted by: LewisGT 25th June 2018, 04:30 PM

I actually really enjoyed watching that match. Egypt were dreadful though, if Saudi Arabia could have actually finished they would have won that very comfortably.

Posted by: The Snake 25th June 2018, 04:40 PM

I wanted Russia to win, Uruguay are just so dull to watch

Saudi Arabia won the other match, oh well done to them. Very disappointing from Egypt in this World Cup.

Posted by: Mack. 25th June 2018, 11:17 PM

Saudi did it and claimed their first win at a World Cup since 1994. Wouldn't have thought they would after their first match.

Posted by: Steve201 26th June 2018, 09:06 PM

I feel old that I remember that game!