FIFA WORLD CUP 2018

FIFA WORLD CUP 2018 – Saudi Arabia vs Egypt PREVIEW

Both sides have already disappointingly bowed out of the world cup with 2 losses out of two. However we can expect both of them to still to put in a good shift because no one knows when’s the next time Saudi Arabia and Egypt will make it to the world cup so this could be the last world cup for either side for years to come so picking up a win is important. It’s a game where both will be playing for pride more than anything else.

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia have had a weird first two games. They started off with a 5-0 loss to Russia, playing ridiculously bad football, giving the ball away and leaking goals. However Saudi showed much more pride in the second game playing relatively good football against Uruguay in only a 1-0 loss from a defensive mistake during a corner. They controlled the possession and showed better quality all around in the second game. It really is disappointing that they couldn’t show that type of football in the opening game because we may be talking differently about their chances. However whatever happened, happened and now coming into the last game against Egypt, Saudi Arabia would definitely love a win. Saudi Arabia have failed to win a game in their previous 3 world cup appearances, last win coming in 1994 so a win here is definitely something they’ll go for. Not sure whether we see rotation in the squad, but they will definitely have a chance at a win against sloppy Egypt. They must try and replicate the performance against Uruguay by being solid at the back and trying to get on the ball as much as possible. Their final delivery has been quite poor but maybe against Egypt it will open up for them since they don’t have world class defenders like Godin/Gimenez like Uruguay do. Shutting down Mo Salah will be the main task however. If Saudi can put in a solid performance, quiet down Salah and have a better quality in the final third then they’ll have a chance to pick up a win.

Egypt

Well it’s been a very disappointing World Cup for Mo Salah and Egypt. They had hopes of getting out of the groups, however circumstances didn’t favour them and they are already out before the final fixture even starts. Egypt started their campaign in a heart breaking fashion losing 0-1 to Uruguay to a late goal and then they completely crumbled against Russia losing 3-1, conceding 3 goals in a space of 15 mins. Although Salah got his world cup, he just didn’t look right against Russia, definitely still unfit which is understandable as his injury was a serious one and he just simply haven’t fully recovered in time.

Now that Egypt’s hopes are dead, we should still see them going for the win as they are pretty much like Saudi Arabia a non guarantee to qualify for the next world cup, and rarely ever do actually (only their 3rd world cup appearance) so winning a game at the world cup is still an objective they need to achieve. Egypt have actually never won a match at the world cup so to throw this game would be ridiculous as their travelling fans will want to see their country win their first ever world cup match and there really couldn’t be a better opportunity to do so than here against Saudi Arabia where Egypt are favoured. The question is will we Salah play and that’s still unclear, it’d be great if he played so he could give Egyptian fans some memories, however if he’s out then the situation could complicate since Egypt just don’t have any top quality players going forward other than Salah. Egypt have to play much better than against Russia, they can’t be leaky at the back and going forward someone other than Salah has to do something because the quality in the final third has been beyond awful by Egypt. It’s not going to be an easy game, but there may not be a better chance to win a world cup for Egypt, so hopefully for them Salah plays and delivers.

Prediction

Can’t see a high scoring game here. Both teams will probably create chances, but the way they’ve been finishing in the final third has been awful and it’s hard to trust either team to score. Salah’s availability will be biggest difference maker. If he plays, then we will see Egypt win, if not then it’s probably going to be a goalless draw. Both teams had a similar world cup so far, both losing 1-0 to Uruguay and then getting battered by Russia. Both teams are capable of cancelling each other out. If Salah plays then Egypt will win 1-0, if not then we can expect a 0-0 draw. Can’t see an exciting game.

Group Standings

1 Russia 6 pts +7 GD

2 Uruguay 6 pts +2 GD

3 Egypt 0 pts -3 GD

4 Saudi Arabia 0 pts -6 GD

ODDS – Decimal (WilliamHill)

Saudi Arabia Win – 4.40

Draw – 3.40

Egypt Win – 1.83

KICK OFF – 25th June 2018 – 3pm UK Time