Konga / Jumia

Friday, 15 June 2018

Russia 2018 World Cup Preview: Russia vs Saudi Arabia


Russia will begin their World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia. Both teams have had poor run of matches coming into the tournament. The teams will be meeting for the second
time in their history. The long wait for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup will begin today, June, 14, as the host nation, Russia, will be slugging it out with Saudi Arabia in the opening fixture. Both teams will be vying for honours in Group A alongside North African side Egypt and South America power house Uruguay. Russia have had a poor run of form losing seven games in a row and their last win was against South Korea last October.

Saudi Arabia on the other hand, have also lost three straight friendlies to Italy, Peru and Germany as both sides will be looking to end their winless streak.

History favours the Eastern European going into this match as no host nation have lost their opening fixture in the biggest football showpiece.

However, both teams have played just once as the Middle East nation recorded a commanding 4-2 victory in a friendly match.

Possible line-ups

Russia: Igor Akinfeev; Mario Fernandes, Fedor Kudryashov, Sergey Ignashevich, Yuri Zhirkov; Roman Zobnin, Daler Kuzyaev, Alan Dzagoev, Aleksandr Samedov, Aleksandr Golovin; Fedor Smolov 

Saudi Arabia: Abdullah Al-Mayouf; Usamah Husawi, Omar Hosawi, Yasser Al-Shahrani, Mohammed Al-Barik; Abdullah Otif, Salman Al-Faraj, Yahya Al-Shihri, Taisir Al-Jassim, Salem Al Dosari; Fahad Al-Molad

Time: 4pm (Nigerian time)

Date: Thursday, June, 14

Venue: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

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