The hosts will be opening the World Cup in front of President Vladimir Putin with hundreds of millions of viewers tuning in around the world. No pressure. If Russia can get a win over Saudi Arabia in the opening match, then it will put itself in a good position to advance out of Group A. The Russians are expected to advance to the knockout rounds as the hosts. Only one host country has failed to make it out of the Group Stage, South Africa back in 2010, so anything less would be a disappointment.
The most anticipated sporting event in the world comes around once every four years, so don’t miss any of the 2018 World Cup. This match will take place at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 14, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on FOX.
World Cup Group Stage Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Saudi Arabia +915
Russia -270
Draw +349
Over/Under 2 and 2.5
Recent Form
Saudi Arabia has had mixed results in friendlies since qualifying for the World Cup. The team has been able to beat most of the minnows on their schedule, but there is a reason they are the lowest-ranked team according to FIFA heading into the competition. Saudi Arabia recently has traded decent wins, over Greece and Algeria, with losses to Iraq, Italy, and Peru.
As hosts, Russia did not have to go through qualification in order to make it to the World Cup. That has left the Russians virtually untested ahead of this match. The national team will have taken part in just four friendlies prior to the match with Saudi Arabia, and thus far Russia has yet to win one. They lost by multiple goals to Brazil and France back in March and dropped their most recent match against Austria. Russia is still scheduled to play Turkey prior to their first game.
Coaching Angle
For Saudi Arabia, the story has been about finding the right manager. Bert van Marwijk was the manager of the Green Falcons during qualifying, but he left to take the head job for Australia soon after qualification was accomplished. The immediate replacement was Edgardo Bauza, but he was only manager for five matches before giving way to the team’s current manager, Juan Antonio Pizzi.
Pizzi was the manager for Chile prior to taking the top job with Saudi Arabia, winning the Copa America Centenario for the nation back in 2016. He is likely to use four at the back, yet this is not a team that is going to totally stall out the game. Saudi Arabia will press and won’t be content with just parking the bus.
Player to Watch
With Alexander Kokorin out for the World Cup following a torn ACL, the brunt of the attack will be channeled through Aleksandr Golovin. Golovin could be a star in the making. The 22-year-old CSKA Moscow midfielder was dynamic in the Champions League this season. He is the player with the most potential on the roster and has been scouted by some of the major Premier League clubs ahead of the World Cup.
Golovin is not going to be the team’s top goal scorer. He has just two goals in 17 international caps and 13 goals in 113 appearances with CSKA Moscow. However, he will be the point man of the attack with his fluid passing. There’s a good chance that he is the best player on the field in this one.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Injuries have decimated Russia’s back line. That, combined with how the country has performed in friendlies, should make Russia much less of a favorite than this. Saudi Arabia won’t make it out of the Group Stage, but this team has some talent and is not an absolute pushover. There is great value in the draw here.
World Cup Group Stage Odds: Saudi Arabia 1, Russia 1
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