Welcome to Part 1 of my World Cup preview.
In this series I will go through each group and give you my quick thoughts on each team as well as my prediction of the final standings.
Once through the groups I will preview my predicted 2nd round match ups and work through to my predicted 2018 World Cup Winner.
For those of you that like a bet I will also include my cheeky 5ver best bet for each group.
So be sure to check back in on my page as we lead up the World Cup.
Group A Prediction
1st Uruguay
2nd Egypt
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Russia-
The host nation Russia have drawn a pretty friendly group with no big countries and 17th ranked Uruguay the most threatening opponent.
It is hard to gauge exactly where the Russian team is at given they did not have go through qualifying.
A look at their matches since the Euro’s don’t really provide much more of an insight either.
They have played 6 matches for 2 wins and 4 losses.
The wins were against New Zealand and a club team (Dynamo Moscow).
The losses were against powerful opponents Portugal, Mexico, Brazil and France but are disappointing all the same.
A look at the squad shows %99 of players that play domestically.
That’s great for chemistry but the Russian league, whilst respected is nowhere near as strong as some other bigger European Leagues so their players are not getting exposed to the World Class level that they will be up against here.
I think the passionate home crowd will stir them to victory over Saudi Arabia in the first match but that is where the joy will end.
Players to Watch
Aleksandr Golovin
Igor Akinfeev
Anton and Alexei Miranchuk
Saudi Arabia -
Taking a look at Saudi Arabia now and I must say they were fantastic the way they navigated through a tricky Asian World Cup Qualifying Group.
In a group containing Australia, Japan, UAE and Iraq, not many would of given them a chance at finishing top 2 and winning automatic qualification.
The Saudi’s managed to secure 2nd spot to relegate the Aussie's into a play off and were only 1 point behind top placed Japan in the end.
Recent results for Saudi Arabia have also been promising as they have won their last 2 friendlies over Greece and Algeria.
Obviously they will meet a lot tougher opponents than that here but confidence would be high in the squad.
A look at the squad shows they all play domestically and no familiar names.
It is worth noting Saudi Arabia have spent a lot of money strengthening that league with Brazilian and other former top league players being lured.
The quality of football coming out of Saudi Arabia is stronger these days and this has benefited the national team.
While I fully expect this to be the strongest team they have sent to a World Cup in a long time I can't see them getting through this group.
Their most winnable group game will be the opening World Cup match against an emotion charged Russian team with the home crowd behind them.
Whilst they will be competitive, they probably lack the class to worry Uruguay or the Egyptian team stocked with players from top leagues and a rampant Mo Salah.
Players to Watch
Fahad Al-Muwallad
Mohammed Al-Sahlawi
Egypt -
I think Egypt will spring a mini surprise here and break the host nation’s heart by grabbing the 2nd qualifying spot.
The Egyptians on the back of potential Ballon d’Or winner Mo Salah got through the brutal African qualifying to book their spot in the World Cup.
They have lost their last 2 friendlies which is a little worry but they were competitive against Portugal in a 2-1 loss and they rested some of their better players like Salah in the 1 nil loss to Greece.
Make no mistake this is the strongest team Egypt have put out in probably all of our life times!
While most of their players still ply their trade in the Saudi Arabian league, they do possess players who have experience in the Premier League and a couple of other bigger leagues.
They also boast a scoring weapon of mass destruction in Liverpool Striker Mo Salah.
Salah is in the form of his life and is fresh off winning the Golden Boot in the Premier League after a sensational first season at Liverpool.
If that’s not incredible enough, he broke the league scoring record when he smashed in his 32nd goal on the last day of the season.
Salah is lightning quick and doesn't need many chances to be deadly meaning Egypt are going to be a constant threat to other teams on the counter attack.
Egypt also possess a great Defensive Midfielder from Arsenal in Mohamed Elneny who is entering the prime of his career at 25.
Elneny was putting in some fine performances for Arsenal prior to an unfortunate ankle ligament injury that ended his season early.
Fortunately, Egypt have assured fans he will be fit for the Word Cup.
Elneny will be joined by exciting young Stoke City winger Sobhi and reliable West Brom Centre Back Ahmed Hegazi.
The Egyptians will be very bullish about their chances in this group.
Players to Watch
Mohamed Salah
Ramadan Sobhi
Uruguay-
I have tipped Uruguay to top this group and maybe go a lot further for two reasons - Cavani & Suarez.
I am selling Uruguay a bit short, they do have plenty of other quality as well but those two have just been scoring machines this season.
Cavani was the top scorer in French Ligue 1 this season with 28 whilst Suarez was 3rd behind only Messi & Ronaldo in the Spanish La Liga with 25 goals.
Those two are the tip of a rather deadly Uruguayan spear that finished 2nd in South American World Cup qualifying and could go deep in this tournament.
Recent results have been good for Uruguay as well with 2 Friendly wins over competitive opponents Czech Republic and Wales so confidence will be high.
Taking a look at the rest of the Uruguay team now, they also look very sound down back with a Defence led by star centre back Diego Godin of Atletico Madrid.
Their supply line to their Forwards is good as well with a Midfield full of players from big leagues but for mine, here lies their weakness.
They lack the star power of past Uruguay Midfields and no Recoba like quality in there this time around.
The lack of Midfield spark may bring them undone in the end but they will safely navigate their way to top of Group A.
Players to Watch
Edinson Cavani
Luis suarez
Diego Godin
Cheeky 5ver Best Bet
Mo Salah for the Golden Boot
ODDS: 34-1
Why?
I know Egypt are not tipped to go a long way at the World Cup meaning Salah won't be a popular choice to win this award however if you look at the Golden Boot Winner of the last 2 World Cups, 5 and then 6 goals was enough to win it.
We are talking about the man who holds the record for the most goals ever in a Premier League season here so who's to say he doesn't score a hatrick or brace in 1 of even 2 of his group games?
The Russian and Saudi Defences in particular are going to really struggle to hold him.
If he gets off the chain he could almost put up a boot winning tally by the end of the Group Stages.
Definitely worth a cheeky 5ver.
That's it for Group A and thank you for reading.
Be sure to check back soon for the next group.
Egypt & Mohamed Salah... full support.
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