World Cup – Russia-Saudi Arabia

The World Cup in Russia is oficially starting on Thursday night. The host of the competition is facins Saudi Arabia in a first match from Group A. Let’s have a look at this clash in our betting examination.

For Russia it would be very important to win one of the first two places in the group and qualify for the 1/8-finals. As a host of the competition, for Sbornaya it would be a massive failure if they fail to reach the knockout phase. Especially when the draw was kind of good for them, putting them in a group with Uruguay, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Most of us would agree that Uruguay are the favourite for the first place in the group, because they have the best team. And they will probably win it. It’s expected to see Russia and Egypt fighting for the other spot which guarantees a place at the 1/8-finals. Saudi Arabia are arguably the underdog in this group.

Russia’s former goalkeeper Stanislav Cherchesov is the current manager of Russia. As a player he made career for clubs like Spartak Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow, Dynamo Dresden and Tirol Innsbruck. As a player he was called up 39 times in the national team. As a manager Cherchesov led clubs like Spartak Moscow, Terek Grozny, Dynamo Moscow, Amkar Perm and Legia Warsaw.

Since he’s leading Russia, Cherchesov managed to win just 5 of his 20 matches with Sbornaya. He lost 9.

Saudi Arabia are participating for a 5th time at the World Cup. They return to the competition after missing it in 2010 and 2014. Their best performance came in 1994, when they sensationally reached the 1/8-finals in their debut appearance.

At the moment the Green Falcons are managed by the former Spanish international Juan Antonio Pizzi.

This is our betting look at the World Cup match between Russia and Saudi Arabia. Good luck!