FIFA World Cup – Group A – Matchday 2 of 3 – Russia v Egypt – Preview & Betting Tips

The following is a match centre with betting tips for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group A fixture between Russia and Egypt. The game kicks off on the 20th of June at 4:00 AM AEST. As part of a revised broadcast agreement, this fixture will be broadcast live on SBS.

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Russia

Russia

  • FIFA World Rank: 70
  • Elo Rating: 44
  • Qualifying: Automatically qualified as the host nation

Squad:

  • Coach: Stanislav Cherchesov
  • Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Vladimir Gabulov (Brugge), Andrey Lunev (Zenit St Petersburg)
  • Defenders: Vladimir Granat, Fyodor Kudryashov (Rubin Kazan), Ilya Kutepov (Spartak Moscow), Andrey Semyonov (Akhmat Grozny), Igor Smolnikov (Zenit St Petersburg), Mario Fernandes, Sergei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow)
  • Midfielders: Yury Gazinsky (Krasnodar), Alan Dzagoev, Alexander Golovin (CSKA Moscow), Alexander Erokhin, Yury Zhirkov, Daler Kuzyaev (Zenit St Petersburg), Roman Zobnin, Alexander Samedov (Spartak Moscow), Anton Miranchuk (Lokomotiv Moscow), Denis Cheryshev (Villarre
  • Forwards: Artem Dzyuba (Arsenal Tula), Alexei Miranchuk (Lokomotiv Moscow), Fyodor Smolov (Krasnodar)

Recent results:

  • Russia 5 – 0 Saudi Arabia
    14/06/2018
    FIFA World Cup, played in Russia
  • Russia 1 – 1 Turkey
    05/06/2018
    Friendly, played in Russia
  • Austria 1 – 0 Russia
    30/05/2018
    Friendly, played in Austria
  • Russia 1 – 3 France
    27/03/2018
    Friendly, played in Russia
  • Russia 0 – 3 Brazil
    23/03/2018
    Friendly, played in Russia
  • Russia 3 – 3 Spain
    14/11/2017
    Friendly, played in Russia
  • Russia 0 – 1 Argentina
    11/11/2017
    Friendly, played in Russia
  • Russia 1 – 1 Iran
    10/10/2017
    Friendly, played in Russia
  • Russia 4 – 2 South Korea
    07/10/2017
    Friendly, played in Russia
  • Russia 1 – 2 Mexico
    24/06/2017
    Confederations Cup, played in Russia
  • Russia 0 – 1 Portugal
    21/06/2017
    Confederations Cup, played in Russia
  • Russia 2 – 0 New Zealand
    17/06/2017
    Confederations Cup, played in Russia

Statistics: (last five years):

  • H2H Record: 24-16-18
  • O/U record
    • O/U 0.5 record: 56-2
    • O/U 1.5 record: 44-14
    • O/U 2.5 record: 27-31
    • O/U 3.5 record: 15-43
    • O/U 4.5 record: 9-49
    • O/U 5.5 record: 7-51
  • Wins
    • Total wins: 24
    • Won by 1 goal: 8
    • Won by 2 goals: 7
    • Won by 3 goals: 4
    • Won by 4 goals: 3
    • Won by 5 goals: 1
    • Won by 5+ goals: 1
    • Won to nil 17
  • Losses
    • Total losses: 18
    • Lost by 1 goal: 12
    • Lost by 2 goals: 4
    • Lost by 3 goals: 2
    • Lost by 4 goals: 0
    • Lost by 5 goals: 0
    • Lost by 5+ goals: 0
    • Lost to nil 10
  • Clean Sheets and BTTS
    • Total Games: 58
    • Clean Sheets: 19
    • Held Scoreless: 12
    • Both Teams Scored: 29
Egypt

Egypt

  • FIFA World Rank: 45
  • Elo Rating: 50
  • Qualifying: Won Group E with a 4-1-1 record in the CAF Third Round.

Squad:

  • Coach: Héctor Cúper (Argentina)
  • Goalkeepers: Sherif Ekramy (Al Ahly), Essam El Hadary (Al Taawoun), Mohamed El Shennawy (Al Ahly)
  • Defenders: Mohamed Abdel-Shafi (Al Fateh), Ayman Ashraf (Al Ahly), Ahmed Elmohamady (Aston Villa), Ahmed Fathi (Al Ahly), Omar Gaber (Los Angeles FC), Ali Gabr (Zamalek), Mahmoud Hamdy (Zamalek), Ahmed Hegazi (West Bromwich Albion), Saad Samir (Al Ahly)
  • Midfielders: Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Abdallah El Said (Al Ahly Jeddah), Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Mahmoud Kahraba (Al Ittihad Jeddah), Sam Morsy (Wigan Athletic), Shikabala (Al Raed), Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City), Mahmoud Hassan (Kasimpasa), Amr Warda (Atromitos)
  • Forwards: Marwan Mohsen (Al Ahly), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Recent results:

  • Egypt 0 – 1 Uruguay
    15/06/2018
    FIFA World Cup, played in Russia
  • Belgium 3 – 0 Egypt
    06/06/2018
    Friendly, played in Belgium
  • Colombia 0 – 0 Egypt
    01/06/2018
    Friendly, played in Italy
  • Kuwait 1 – 1 Egypt
    25/05/2018
    Friendly, played in Kuwait
  • Greece 1 – 0 Egypt
    27/03/2018
    Friendly, played in Switzerland
  • Portugal 2 – 1 Egypt
    23/03/2018
    Friendly, played in Switzerland
  • Ghana 1 – 1 Egypt
    12/11/2017
    WC qualifiers, played in Ghana
  • Egypt 2 – 1 Congo
    08/10/2017
    WC qualifiers, played in Egypt
  • Egypt 1 – 0 Uganda
    05/09/2017
    WC qualifiers, played in Egypt
  • Uganda 1 – 0 Egypt
    31/08/2017
    WC qualifiers, played in Uganda
  • Egypt 1 – 0 Libya
    05/06/2017
    Friendly, played in Egypt
  • Egypt 1 – 0 Libya
    13/05/2017
    Friendly, played in Egypt

Statistics: (last five years):

  • H2H Record: 30-8-14
  • O/U record
    • O/U 0.5 record: 50-2
    • O/U 1.5 record: 33-19
    • O/U 2.5 record: 17-35
    • O/U 3.5 record: 5-47
    • O/U 4.5 record: 3-49
    • O/U 5.5 record: 3-49
  • Wins
    • Total wins: 30
    • Won by 1 goal: 13
    • Won by 2 goals: 11
    • Won by 3 goals: 4
    • Won by 4 goals: 2
    • Won by 5 goals: 0
    • Won by 5+ goals: 0
    • Won to nil 24
  • Losses
    • Total losses: 14
    • Lost by 1 goal: 11
    • Lost by 2 goals: 1
    • Lost by 3 goals: 1
    • Lost by 4 goals: 0
    • Lost by 5 goals: 1
    • Lost by 5+ goals: 0
    • Lost to nil 10
  • Clean Sheets and BTTS
    • Total Games: 52
    • Clean Sheets: 26
    • Held Scoreless: 12
    • Both Teams Scored: 16


Commentary

Only one host nation (South Africa in 2010) has ever failed to reach the knockout stage and Russia looks on track to continue that trend after thrashing Saudi Arabia 5-0 on matchday 1. In scoring five goals, Russia have already scored more goals in this tournament than in their last two appearances at the World Cup (2 in 2014 and 4 in 2002). After going 0-1-3 in friendlies leading up to the tournament, Russia appeared to grow an extra leg in their first World Cup fixture, but that may be due to Saudi Arabia putting in an absolutely dreadful performance. We’ll learn a lot more about Russia’s credentials after this match. Many questions were raised about Russia’s defence, due to long-term injuries to centre-backs Georgi Dzhikiya, Viktor Vasin and Ruslan Kambolov. Will they be able to keep another clean sheet? In team news, midfielder Alan Dzagoev will miss this game and possibly additional fixtures after injuring his hamstring against Saudi Arabia.

Egypt lost their opening fixture 0-1 to Uruguay after conceding an 89th minute goal, but they can take heart from the fact that they’ve arguably got the toughest fixture out of the way and star player Mohamed Salah looks set to return from injury. Salah scored 44 goals for Liverpool in the latest campaign and he received both the Premier League Golden Boot and the Premier League Player of the Season awards. This should give Egypt a huge boost of confidence. The key concern, however, is the side remains winless in seven matches since November of last year, going 0-3-4.

Betting

bet365 odds (subject to change):

Compare the latest bookmaker odds for Russia vs. Egypt

Due to their +5 goal difference, Russia probably only need a draw to be in the box seat to progress to the Round of 16, but they will certainly want all 3 points to avoid having to rely on Uruguay beating Saudi Arabia. Russia’s home advantage can’t be underestimated, which is why I’m leaning towards the home side.

Betting tip: back Russia draw no bet (+0.0 Asian Handicap) at 1.50 (Betstar, Bookmaker, Ladbrokes)

Notes

 

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