WC 2018, Group A: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay

Russia vs Saudi Arabia
Croatia vs Nigeria
England vs Tunisia
Spain vs Iran
Serbia vs Switzerland
Quarter Final (Nizny)
Semi final (Mosocw)
Final - maybe

 

Of the known matches (before any matches being played) the Croatia - Nigéria game Will be good even with you attenting , the others, Serbia - Switzerland , Spain - Iran (Iran have already started building the bunkers) and England - Tunísia, this might actually be a good game as Tunísia are less defensive than they have been of late and England are not as overrated as they usually are.

 

I wonder if Putin paid Sergio Ramos for something...

 

Apparently a fan who was mobbing Salah for a selfie touched is left shoulder, and Salah responded in a way that he was protecting his shoulder.

He cannot possibly be fully fit, and if he is complaining about a fan grabbing his shoulder, how will he respond to falling on the ground ? This cannot be a good sign.

If I were coach, I dont think I would start Salah against Uruguay, the worst thing to happen would be to lose him in that match. He is needed the most to beat Russia IMO.

But then again if there isn't a significant change in the healing of the injury between the first and second match, maybe play him against Uruguay.

 

Yes, i saw the video. The team got off the bus, and a fan got in behind security.

The fan placed his arm over Salahs shoulder/back.. and Salah had a bad reaction to it, and i guess told him to take the arm off or something? at which point they both re-set preparing for the selfie when security pounced. Even when re-attempting the selfie, it appears the fan couldnt help but place his arm over him again, to which Salah had a similiar reaction.

It could be mind games.. but, i doubt it. I dont think Salah is healthy and more then likely pleaded to be cleared to participate in the WC. One hard tackle to the ground, and it could be the end.

 

Pumped for the opening match. Can't wait for it all to start. 12 years is a long time.

Play you greens!

 

I still remeber the tunisia game like it was yesterday. Too bad they were awful after the first game.

 

My predictions

Russia - Saudi Arabia 2-0
Egypt - Uruguay 0-1
Russia - Egypt 2-1
Uruguay - Saudi Arabia 3-0
Saudi Arabia - Egypt 2-2
Uruguay - Russia 1-1

Uruguay.................5:1...............7
Russia...................5:2...............7
Egypt.....................3:5...............1
Saudi Arabia.........2:7...............1

This group is for me pretty straight forward. I think the hosts will make their home-field advantage count. I think everything is already decided going into the last games.

 

I am from Russia and I am pleased that you have such a high opinion of our team.
But most of the adequate fans of football do not believe in our team - objectively, this is the weakest team for 10 years.
I think that the result will be something like this:
Russia - Saudi Arabia 1-0
Egypt - Uruguay 1-2
Russia - Egypt 1-2
Uruguay - Saudi Arabia 3-1
Saudi Arabia - Egypt 2-2
Uruguay - Russia 3-1

Just my subjective opinion

 

It's not that I have a high opinion of your team rather than Egypt and Saudi Arabia are very weak. I pointed it out here many times that I just don't rate Egypt. One superstar can't compensate all the shortcomings they have. If this group would be played on neutral ground I wouldn't have picked Russia. I think home advantage will proof to be the main difference.

 

I don't believe either that Russia in the current form can get very far. But I have the impression it won't be difficult at all to get to the round of 16.
It's exactely the low expectations what will benefit the russian team. A victory against Saudi Arabia (in my opinion an easy task) could create some kind of contained euphoria and Egypt will be just another step to get higher.
I even think that although people is not expecting much from Russia now, when they get to the 2nd round they will be seen completely differently - and even if Portugal or Spain are still favorites against them, Russia will be seen as a hard opponent to beat.

 

I mean of course "prove" not proof in the last sentence.

 

Yeah, they were the only games I could get tickets for at the time. Had I known that later tix would become available maybe would have done it differently but it is what it is. My experience is that the first round of games are never the greatest, but it's the 2nd round of games that are the best and the teams really go for it. Yeah I kow Serbia-Swiss is all I could get for that day but maybe it will be the decider of who goes through, and I'm sure Serbia fans are never erm 'boring'

 

Well the Spain-Iran game hás shot up in expectations...

 

It is catchy.

I like it better than Will Smith's song.

 

It's a real football chant they've adapted and given the studio treatment.

 

Ready for the BIG DAY tomorrow guys?

 

Yes am on Moscow got my ticket and.just got back to my hotel at 4 am so I am ready!

 

achilles psychic the cat (they say "he picked confed cup winners correctly" but they dont say in detail what his winning % was) has chosen russia as tomorrows winner.

but if you see the video it seems like the russian lady pushed the feline towards the russian bowl...

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-e...-russia-achilles-the-psychic-cat-calls-opener

 

FIFA has kicked off and the opening ceremony is just about to begin, but the undercover star performers are yet to be disclosed.

Follow opening ceremony of FIFA World Cup to get an update of the performers and latest openings.

 

My prediction is Russia 3-0 Saudi Arabia

 

Russia will be much harder to deal with than some people thought from friendlies that only them take seriously.

 

4-0

 

The Saudi’s lost 5-0 [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

Good job Russia. Well done.

 

So, Russia won, as expected. The magnitude of the scoreline should be a pleasant surprise, however, for those supporting Russia. It's only Saudi Arabia, of course, but perhaps Russia is better than expected.

We'll get an idea of how the other two teams compare tomorrow. I suspect Salah will have to be in something close to top form for Egypt to overcome Russia here.