Russia vs Saudi Arabia - Competition: World Cup 2018 (Group A)
Date: 14 June 2018 - Kick-off Time: 16:00 BST
Venue: Stadion Luzhniki, Moskva
Date: 14 June 2018 - Kick-off Time: 16:00 BST
Venue: Stadion Luzhniki, Moskva
Russia team come into their home World Cup as the lowest ranked side in the
FIFA, 70th, and three positions lower than the next lowest ranked side,
who happen to be Saudi Arabia. They have won just two of their last 11
games, failing to beat the likes Austria (0-1) and Turkey (1-1) in their
most recent friendlies. The last time the Russians won an international
match was in October of last year when they fended off a late rally
from South Korea to win 4-2. They failed to record a victory in Russia
four years ago and have not won a match at a major finals since Euro
2012. They conceded three goals in successive matches against Russia and
France last March.
Krasnodar forward Fyodor Smolov is expected to lead the line alongside ALeksei Miranchuk as Aleksandr Kokorin is not a part of the team, as he is sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Artem Dzyuba provide a further option in attack. In midfield, Erokhin, Golovin and Glushakov are likely to play in the middle of the park while Yuri Zhirkov and Aleksander Samedov should be the starting wing backs in a 3-5-2 system. At the back, Kutepov, Granat, Kudryashov should form the three man defense with veteran goalkeeper Akinfeev between the posts.
Saudi Arabia stepped up their World Cup preparations in an international friendly with Italy, losing 2-1 with Yahya Al Shehri scoring their only goal. Since then, they lost 3-0 at the hands of Peru but limted a full strength Germany side to a 2-1 win on 8th June. The former Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi is the third head-coach in the space of 10 months and he got little time to settle with the squad. Anyway, ten of their 23 man squad play for the same club, Al-Hilal, and this could be a massive advantage.
Top scorer Al-Sahlawi is likely to start up front. He should be supported by Al Shehri, Al Jassim, Al Dawsari as offensive midfielders. The likes of Otayf and Al Khaibri are expected to feature from the off in the middle of the park. In defense, Pizzi is likely to choose Al Shahrani, Om. Hawsawi, Os. Hawsawi and Al-Harbi while Al Mosailem should get the nod over Al Maiouf as starting goalkeeper.
Krasnodar forward Fyodor Smolov is expected to lead the line alongside ALeksei Miranchuk as Aleksandr Kokorin is not a part of the team, as he is sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Artem Dzyuba provide a further option in attack. In midfield, Erokhin, Golovin and Glushakov are likely to play in the middle of the park while Yuri Zhirkov and Aleksander Samedov should be the starting wing backs in a 3-5-2 system. At the back, Kutepov, Granat, Kudryashov should form the three man defense with veteran goalkeeper Akinfeev between the posts.
Saudi Arabia stepped up their World Cup preparations in an international friendly with Italy, losing 2-1 with Yahya Al Shehri scoring their only goal. Since then, they lost 3-0 at the hands of Peru but limted a full strength Germany side to a 2-1 win on 8th June. The former Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi is the third head-coach in the space of 10 months and he got little time to settle with the squad. Anyway, ten of their 23 man squad play for the same club, Al-Hilal, and this could be a massive advantage.
Top scorer Al-Sahlawi is likely to start up front. He should be supported by Al Shehri, Al Jassim, Al Dawsari as offensive midfielders. The likes of Otayf and Al Khaibri are expected to feature from the off in the middle of the park. In defense, Pizzi is likely to choose Al Shahrani, Om. Hawsawi, Os. Hawsawi and Al-Harbi while Al Mosailem should get the nod over Al Maiouf as starting goalkeeper.
Russia last 5 matches:
14/11/17 Russia 3 – 3 Spain23/03/18 Russia 0 – 3 Brazil
27/03/18 Russia 1 – 3 France
30/05/18 Austria 1 – 0 Russia
05/06/18 Russia 1 – 1 Turkey
Saudi Arabia last 5 matches:
09/05/18 Saudi Arabia 2 – 0 Algeria15/05/18 Saudi Arabia 2 – 0 Greece
28/05/18 Italy 2 – 1 Saudi Arabia
03/06/18 Saudi Arabia 0 – 3 Peru
08/06/18 Germany 2 – 1 Saudi Arabia
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