Right, I thought I'd kickstart the World Cup Matches threads, like I did 2 years ago for the Euro's.
WORLD CUP 2018 – 14TH JUNE
RUSSIA VS SAUDI ARABIA
Match kicks off at 16:00 (BST) on ITV. Coverage begins at 15:45 (BST) after the ceremony. Analysis from Gary Neville, Lee Dixon, Ian Wright & Slaven Bilic. Pitch side reports from Jacqui Oatley, Ryan Giggs, Eni Aluko and commentary from Clive Tyldesley and GHIAC.
70th (Russia) in the World Rankings vs 67th (Saudi Arabia). Not exactly game of the tournament to start us off but it’s the World Cup never-the-less.
Russia as hosts didn’t have to qualify but we did get a glimpse of how they’d get on last year at the Confederations Cup. I’m not expecting much better here either, although a weak-ish group does give them a chance of at least making the knockout stages. They will be looking for a better than in Brazil in 2014 where they failed to win a game.
If they are to do anything in this World Cup I’d expect Smolov to be their star player, scouts will also keep an eye on Golovin who has been linked to some big clubs this summer.
They have an old squad with not much pace, which begs the question why didn’t Shatov make it!
Saudi Arabia got through their qualification group in 2nd place behind Japan but ahead of Australia. They are finally back at the World Cup after 2 straight absences. They are probably favourites to finish bottom of the group but a lot will depend on this game. They haven’t won a World Cup match since USA 1994. Al-Sahlawi is their star striker averaging not far off a goal per game albeit against some shite oppostion. Most of their squad is based in Saudi Arabia.
Can't see there being more than a goal in this game.
WORLD CUP 2018 – 14TH JUNE
RUSSIA VS SAUDI ARABIA
Match kicks off at 16:00 (BST) on ITV. Coverage begins at 15:45 (BST) after the ceremony. Analysis from Gary Neville, Lee Dixon, Ian Wright & Slaven Bilic. Pitch side reports from Jacqui Oatley, Ryan Giggs, Eni Aluko and commentary from Clive Tyldesley and GHIAC.
70th (Russia) in the World Rankings vs 67th (Saudi Arabia). Not exactly game of the tournament to start us off but it’s the World Cup never-the-less.
Russia as hosts didn’t have to qualify but we did get a glimpse of how they’d get on last year at the Confederations Cup. I’m not expecting much better here either, although a weak-ish group does give them a chance of at least making the knockout stages. They will be looking for a better than in Brazil in 2014 where they failed to win a game.
If they are to do anything in this World Cup I’d expect Smolov to be their star player, scouts will also keep an eye on Golovin who has been linked to some big clubs this summer.
They have an old squad with not much pace, which begs the question why didn’t Shatov make it!
Saudi Arabia got through their qualification group in 2nd place behind Japan but ahead of Australia. They are finally back at the World Cup after 2 straight absences. They are probably favourites to finish bottom of the group but a lot will depend on this game. They haven’t won a World Cup match since USA 1994. Al-Sahlawi is their star striker averaging not far off a goal per game albeit against some shite oppostion. Most of their squad is based in Saudi Arabia.
Can't see there being more than a goal in this game.
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