Uruguay vs Russia
World Cup Group A
Date: Monday, 25 June 2018
Kick-Off at 15:00 UK / 16:00 CET
Venue: Samara Arena.
SAMARA, Russia (AP) Coach Stanislav Cherchesov insists Russia’s success at the World Cup is about much more than home-team advantage.
Russia will face its toughest challenge – so far – against Uruguay. The undefeated teams play Monday in Samara for the top spot in their group, with both already assured a spot in the knockout round.
”It is not an accident that we have two wins under our belt,” Cherchesov said. ”It is a group that works together well. It is a group of solidarity and cohesion.”
It is the farthest Russia has advanced in the post-Soviet era. And it will no doubt get harder following the match against Luis Suarez and Uruguay because the top finishers in Group A go on to face the best two from Group B, which includes Portugal and Spain.
The hosts entered the tournament with the lowest FIFA ranking in the field at No. 70. Russia comes to Samara following a 5-0 victory in the opener against Saudi Arabia with Vladimir Putin on hand, followed by a 3-1 win over Egypt to spoil Mohamed Salah’s World Cup.
Cherchesov said preparation is the key to Russia’s success.
”We did our homework,” he said. ”We learned from our mistakes that didn’t allow us to be successful in the past.”
Uruguay, however, is a much more skilled team than Russia’s first two opponents. Ranked No. 14, La Celeste defeated Egypt 1-0 in its tournament opener and then had the same result against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Uruguay is making its 12th appearance at the World Cup, which it won in 1930 and 1950. More recently, the team finished fourth in South Africa in 2010 and made the round of 16 in Brazil four years ago.
Because Russia has the advantage in goal differential, it would win the group with a draw. Still, Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez sees the match as an opportunity to fine-tune the team for the next round.
”We have to work on a few aspects. We will be playing against Russia. They’re playing at home for their public, so it will be a great atmosphere,” Tabarez said. ”It’s a great opportunity for us to test improvements in the team.”
Uruguay vs Russia – Match Stats
Uruguay’s only victory against Russia/Soviet Union came at the 1970 World Cup where La Celeste beat the Soviet Union 1-0 in extra-time.
Including the defeat against Uruguay in 1970 Russia/Soviet Union have lost the last four matches against South American competition at the World Cup.
Russia have scored more goals at this World Cup (eight) than in the last two tournaments combined (2002 and 2014 they combined for six).
Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Uruguay vs Russia – 2-2
Uruguay vs Russia – Lineups
Uruguay:
Formation: 4-4-2
Muslera – Caceres, Godin, Gimenez, Varela – Rodriguez, Vecino, Bentancur, Nandez – Cavani, Suarez.
Head Coach: Oscar Tabarez
Russia:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Akinfeev – Zhirkov, Ignashevich, Kutepov, Mário Fernandes – Gazinskiy, Zobnin – Golovin, Cheryshev, Samedov – Dzyuba
Uruguay Russia Head-to-head
The two sides met each other just once in the past. It was an affair of a friendly character, played before the EURO 2012 when Alexander Kerzhakov quickly cancelled Luis Suarez’s opener at the start of the second half to set the final score of 1-1 at RZD Arena in Moscow.
Uruguay Russia Predictions
Compared to Uruguay, Russia showed much more in the build-up play moving forward in the opening two contests. This will, however, be a whole different affair in which we could see La Celeste at their best for the first time in the tournament.
The South Americans are very tough to break down under Oscar Tabarez. The defensive line, consisted of the Atletico Madrid pair of centre-backs Diego Godin and Jose Maria Gimenez, conceded no goals at all in last five internationals.
The hosts thus might have serious troubles maintaining their superb attacking form here, while their back line will be heavily challenged for the first time in the tournament as Russia are about to take on the deadly attacking duo of Uruguay’s, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
We thus find the value in backing Uruguay to win at the 2.70 odds. Alternatively, we will go for La Celeste to keep their sixth clean sheet on the trot at the odds of 2.62.
Predicted Full-Time Result is a clean sheet victory for Uruguay.
Uruguay vs Russia Betting Tips
Uruguay to win @ 2.70.
Uruguay to keep a clean sheet @ 2.62.
Correct FT Score: 1-0 Uruguay @ 7.50.
