GROUP A TEAMS
Egypt
Overview:
The hopes of a whole nation is bearing down upon their iconic talisman 'Mo Salah'.Egypt’s World Cup story now depends on his ability to stay healthy. A nation holds its breath but there is more to their team. The 2017 African Cup of Nations runners up are no push overs on the International stage and bring with them to the World Cup a squad filled with some quality. If Salah can play at his best, or even short of it, there is no reason why Egypt should fail to get out Group A. In the last 16 it is highly likely that Egypt will play either Spain or Portugal, which will be a huge test for them in their third ever World Cup finals.
Road to qualifier:
Out of Group E the Pharaohs have lost only once to a quite impressive Uganda side.They didnot score free flowingly as might some expected with the talisman like Salah,but ultimately they got the job done quitely.They have scored 8 and conceded 4 goals in total throughout the group stages.
AFC World Cup Qualifier
Most starts: Mohamed Elneny (6), Mohamed Abdel-Shafy, Essam El-Hadary, Tarek Hamed, Mohamed Salah (all 5)
Most goals: Mohamed Salah (5), Abdallah El-Said (2).
Most assists: Trezeguet (3), Mohamed Salah (2).
African Cup of Nations 2017
Most starts: Mohamed Elneny, Tarek Hamed, Mohamed Salah, Ahmed Fathy, Ali Gabr, Ahmed Hegazi (all 6), Trezeguet, Essam Al-Hadary (both 5).
Most goals: Mohamed Salah (2).
Most assists: Mohamed Salah (2).
Formation and Tactics:
Egypt should have Mohamed Salah fit for World Cup but either way Héctor Cúper sets the team up very defensively against the lesser teams too.In his first 32 games as Egypt manager the Argentinian conceded only 18 goals.So goals might be hard to come by but they have an outside chance of securing one or two clean sheets.His defensive mindset is instilled into the squad and in his 4-2-3-1 lineup, with the two holding midfielders, Mohamed Elneny and Tarek Hamed, expected to sit deep and soak up the pressure.The defence will be made up of Mohamed Abdel-Shafy at left-back (or Karim Hafez if he has recovered from injury) with the two West Bromwich Albion defenders Ali Gabr and Ahmed Hegazi at centre-back and the versatile Ahmed Fathi at right-back.Going forward Cúper prefers three attacking midfielders and one up front. Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet”, Abdallah El Said and Mohamed Salah will make up that triumvirate.Ahmed Hassan Kouka is a very talented and emotional striker who is currently impressing in Portugal with Braga will be playing up forward.
Formation:
(4-2-3-1)
El-Hadary
Abdel-Shafy Gabr Hegazi Fathi
Elneny Tarek
Salah El-said Trezeguet
Marwan
The Key Prospects:
The obvious,the man,the myth,the beast 'Mo Salah' comes at first who is in truth the real world class attacking threat in Egypt's roster.The man comes in to the world cup as one of the best players in the world at this moment.After him,one to consider is Abdallah El-Said who currently occupies the number 10 role and one of the few creative sparks for Egypt.In defence,the standout candidate is Ahmed Hegazi which is obvious after a scintillating season at West brom.
The Punts:
There is not a lot of options for differentials.Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet is certainly one to take a gamble on. He excelled on loan from Anderlecht at Turkey’s Kasimpasa this season before making the move permanent - his form leading to links with Everton, Watford, Burnley and Bournemouth.He scored 13 times and assisted another 6 goals as he continues his improvement.
RUSSIA
Overview:
Stanislav Cherchesov took charge of Russia immediately after a disastrous Euro 2016 campaign in which the team led by Leonid Slutsky finished last in their group.He has changed the team quite a bit but injuries and fall-outs mean uncertainty remains over Russia’s best XI.To qualify from their group ahead of Uruguay and Egypt and better their best historic finish in a World Cup by reaching the first knockout stage would represent some achievement for the host nation. However, the lack of creative or technical players with flair going forward suggests it is more likely they will seriously struggle to get out of Group A.
Recent Matches:
Its been quite a while since Russia played a competitive match as they are hosting the World cup this year.To compensate for that,they are playing friendlies from the summer of 2016 to prepare.They have a mixed bag of results of friendlies since their last competitive match.Their defence is quite fragile and tends to concede goals however their attack is much better in this aspect.Since their confederations cup in last summer,they have played nine friendlies,in which they have conceded 14 goals and scored same amount of goals. In fact,in last two years,they have scored 25 goals across 18 fixtures and scored three goals against the likes of Spain.
Most starts (Friendlies + Confederations Cup): Fedor Kudryashov (16), Alexandr Samedov (15), Igor Akinfeev (14), Fedor Smolov (13), Yuri Zhirkov (11), Denis Glushakov (10).
Most goals: Fedor Smolov (6), Own Goals (4), Aleksei Miranchuk (3), Alexandr Samedov (3).
Most assists: Alexander Samedov (7), Dmitri Kombarov (3), Aleksandr Erokhin, Aleksandr Kokorin, Aleksei Miranchuk, Roman Zobnin (all 2).
Formation and Tactics:
Stanislav Cherchesov made some really vital changes for the squad but Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev is keeping his spot that is almost near certain.Their defence line up is still up in the air.The injuries have plagued the squad.Injuries to Vasin and Dzhikiya have added more confusion in the back. Russia do at least have a number of good box-to-box midfielders,The manager has confidence in Alexander Golovin, Roman Zobnin, Daler Kuzyaev and Alan Dzagoev, who are likely to compete for the three central berths. Finally, the gifted Alexey Miranchuk should start behind Smolov. With Kokorin injured, Russia will field one striker and one attacking midfielder.
Probable Lineup:
Formation(3-5-2)
Akinfeev
Granat Kutepov Kudryashov
Samedov Golovin Kuzyaev Zobnin Zhirkov
Al Miranchuk Smolov
The Key Prospects:
The defense is injury plagued and leaky at best.So it is better to steer clear of their rearguard for now.Fedor Smolov is the main attacking threat of the team.The FC Krasnodar striker has two steller seasons,scored 18 and 14 goals respectively.Alexandr Samedov is the main playmaker for the team with seven assists and three goals since the last Euro.He is also the main set-piece taker and is the potential penalty taker.
The Punts :
Alexandar Golovin is the one to consider after finishing another excellent season with CSKA.(5 goals,3 assists).Alan Dzagoev is in and out of the team for a long time and recently supplied the assist in 1-1 draw vs Turkey.Alexei Miranchuk can bag points if he can nail down a starting berth.
Saudi Arabia
Overview:
As one of the most exciting teams to watch in Asia,Saudi Arabia is quite an enigma to solve ahead of the world cup.Recent mangerial transitions after securing a spot in Russia makes the matter far more complicated.Juan Antonio Pizzi took his place in the Saudi Arabia dugout for the first time in November 2017 yet he is still waiting for his his first competitive game in charge of the Green Falcons - that comes against Russia in the World Cup’s opening match.Their defence can be quite susceptible at times.
Road To Qualification:
Saudi Arabia is one of the most attcking sides in Asia.They scored the most goals alongside Japan (both 17).Still there is question mark hovering on their heads because of the poor quality of asian football.They have cruised through the likes of UAE,Thailand,Iraq.Recent friendly results are quite mixed.They have won against Algeria and Greece quite comfortably but lost by at least three goals against Belgium and Peru.For that reason,Saudi Arabia are something of an unknown quantity heading into World Cup 2018.
AFC World Cup Qualifying Third round<\h2>
Most starts: Salman Al-Faraj, Taiseer Al-Jassim, Omar Hawsawi, (all 10), Nawaf Al-Abed, Abdulmalek Al-Khabri, Yahya Al-Shehri, Osama Hawsawi, (all 9).
Most goals: Nawaf Al-Abed (5), Fahad Al-Muwallad, Mohammad Al-Sahlawi, Yahya Al-Shehri (all 2).
Most assists: Taiseer Al-Jassim (3), Nawaf Al-Abed, Hassan Muath Fallatah (both 2).
International Friendlies since August 5th 2017
Most starts: Omar Hawsawi (8), Yasser Al-Shahrani, Osama Hawsawi (both 7), Taiseer Al-Jassim, Abdullah Otaif (6).
Most goals: Salem Al-Dawsari, Salman Al-Faraj, Taiseer Al-Jassim (all 2).
Most assists: Mohamed Al-Sahlawi (3), Mohamed Al-Kwikbi (2).
Formation and Tactics:
Pizzi has been trying to get the players to play the ball out from the back more. It has worked to a certain extent and there has been a certain tidiness about the team in recent, if low-key, friendly victories over Algeria and Greece, which represented a clear improvement on a 4-0 loss to Belgium in March. The team have been keeping the ball better and moving it quickly.Pizzi looks likely to play a compact 4-2-3-1, with the attacking three midfielders ready to drop deep to ensure that there are plenty of bodies in midfield.Their defence is quite aging so attack is the best bet for them.Their attacking trio is quite a force in Asia.Salem al-Dawsari, Yahya al-Shehri and Fahad al-Muwallad are the team’s creative heartbeat with the ability to unlock Asian defences, though their greatest tests remain.
Formation:
(4-2-3-1)
Probable Lineup:
Mosailem
Harbi Omar Hawsawi Osama Hawsawi Shahrani
Otayf Jassim
Muwallad Shehri Dawsari
Sahlawi
The Key Prospects:
Nawaf Al-Abed is the one of the shining lights in the Asian qualifying,he scored five goals and assisted another three which is one of the better record in asia.Striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi has an exceptional record for country,has a total of 28 goals in 37 international appearances.\
The Punts:
The wingers are the standout gamble within the ranks of Saudi Arabia.Fahad Al-Muwallad and Salem Al-Dawsari are exciting players with lots of potential but still haven't converted that potential into reliable point source.This world cup can be platform where they finally show up.
URUGUAY
Overview:
As like almost every other world cup,The sky blues will be looking to prove their class once again as they are chasing their third world cup.Óscar Tabárez has set up his team to be as mean as possible at the back and then it is all about giving the ball to the team’s world-class forwards, Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani.Group Stage shouldn't be a problem for them given the quality of the squad.In fact, the favorable draw means that the South American giants have another outside chance at World Cup glory.
Road to Qualification:
Uruguay qualified for Russia as one of the best teams of South America after Brazil dominated the whole group stage.They have shown both their best and worst throughout the qualifiers.They have started strongly winning four out of their first six matches.The tide had changed completely in next eight matches where they lost four of them.Oscar Tabarez then reformed the whole squad as he tried to turn the tides again.Overall the La Celeste have finished their qualification in quite convincing fashion.They have the second best scoring record(Only behind Brazil)and the fourth best defensive record throughout the qualifiers.
Conmebol Qualifying
Most starts: Fernando Muslera (17), Diego Godin (16), Edinson Cavani (15), Carlos Sanchez (14), Luis Suarez (13).
Most goals: Cavani (10), Suarez (5), Godin, Martin Caceres (both 3).
Most assists: Suarez (8), Sanchez (7).
Tactics and Formation:
Like every other Uruguay team this team is built from the back to make it as difficult as possible for opponents to score. Diego Godín and José María Giménez being that rare combination at a World Cup – a pair who play together week in, week out (for Atlético Madrid).Martin Caceres and Guillermo Varela are the standout candidates for the LB and RB respectively.The emergence of Matias Vecino and young Federico Valverde in central midfield helped them to be more fluid and dangerous than ever before.Suarez and Cavani will lead the line from the front of course.
Probable Lineup:
Formation(4-4-2)
Muslera
Varela Godin Gimenez Caceres
Arrascaeta Bentacur Vecino Rodriguez
Suarez Cavani
The Key Prospects:
The whole Uruguay squad is full of potential fantasy assets in both attack and defence.
In attack,the obvious targets are Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.They both offer plenty of goal and assist potential and both enjoyed domestic success in respective leagues.
In defence,the fixtures look quite favorable for shutouts.Diego Godin is the standout performer as he offers goal threat as well as clean sheet potential.
The Punts:
In defence,Guillermo Varela could be the one of the breakout performers as he plays as wing back in new fluid attack system.In midfield,Vecino and Valverde can offer big points.Carlos Sanchez is quite a risky investment but can serve up points in return.