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2018 FIFA World Cup Group A Schedule and Game Predictions

The 2018 FIFA World Cup starts on June 14 with Group A and a match between Russia and Saudi Arabia then followed by Uruguay vs. Egypt the next day. Keep reading for all the details.

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World Cup 2018 Group A

Russia vs. Saudi Arabia

  • Date: Thursday, June 14
  • Betting Odds: Russia -300 vs Saudi Arabia +1248 – Draw +398

Russia Analysis: The Russian squad’s performance on the world stage has declined since winning the 2008 European Championship and is near the bottom of the rankings of all 32 teams in the World Cup.

Before Egypt’s Mo Salah’s injury, nobody gave Russia much of a shot at making it at the knockout stage even with the advantage of being the host. Now, however, the odds favor them to finish second after group favorite Uruguay.

Russia opens the 2018 World Cup with a match against Saudi Arabia in what could turn out to be one of the least exciting games of this competition that pits the two lowest-ranking teams.

Given Salah’s injury, Russia has a fair chance of passing to the next stage, but it’s very unlikely they’ll reach much further.

Saudi Arabia Analysis: If there are few people that believe Russia will make it far into this competition, there are probably even fewer people that believe Saudi Arabia will win even a game.

The Falcons own the least coveted position of being the team with the worst odds to make it past the group stage at +4000, which in essence means that a $100 bet will earn you an “easy” $4,000!

It wasn’t easy for the Saudi team to make it to the 2018 World Cup. In fact, their coach was fired just nine days before the draw which means acting coach Antonio Pizzi will have the difficult task of leading an unknown team through what arguably could be the toughest competition in the world.

Russia vs Saudi Arabia Pick and Prediction: The Russians not only have home team advantage but with Salah’s injury have a renewed confidence. Russia will win 2-1.

Uruguay vs. Egypt

  • Date: Friday, June 15     
  • Betting Odds: Uruguay -174 vs Egypt +675 – Draw +284

Egypt Analysis: It’s likely nobody in Egypt has any love for Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos after the country’s star, Mo Salah was injured in the UEFA Champions League final in a controversial play that left him with questions on whether or not he’ll play in the World Cup.

The seven-time African champions had high-hopes on reaching far into the competition after not having qualified for a World Cup since 1990. To add salt to the wound, it was Salah’s injury-time penalty that, in fact, sent them to compete so it stands to argue that his speedy recovery would make a big difference in how Egypt performs.

Uruguay Analysis: Even among one of the toughest qualifying regions, Uruguay nevertheless earned their spot in the World Cup. The South American squad has a balanced team of experience and youth with players of the likes of Cavani, Suarez, and defender Diego Godin along with newcomers like Federico Valverde and Nahitan Nandez.

Not only is Uruguay favorite to win the group, but they also should defeat Egypt pretty easily in this match. They’re currently at -125 to win Group A which means that you’ll have to lay $125 to win $100, but it shouldn’t be too much of a stretch for them.

Egypt vs Uruguay Pick and Prediction: Egypt’s coach Hector Cuper is “optimistic” that Salah will play against Uruguay in the group opener. Of course, this would change things should it come to be. But, the likelihood is that regardless of his participation, Uruguay will win.