The third round of group matches gets underway with Uruguay taking on the hosts, Russia, on Monday the 25th of June 2018.
Two-time world champions Uruguay face hosts Russia at the Samara Arena on Monday in the final match of Group A. Both sides have six points from their opening two games, putting them into the Round of 16, and they will battle it out for top spot.
Uruguay and Russia have only faced each other once before. The international friendly match in 2012 ended in a 1-1 draw.
Uruguay vs Russia | Monday 25 June | Samara Arena (16:00)
To Win (90 Mins)
Uruguay 7/4
Draw 2/1
Russia 17/10
Uruguay
Uruguay booked their place in the knockout stage along with Russia as they claimed a 1-0 victory over an improved Saudi Arabia in Rostov-on-Don, with Luis Suarez benefitting from some poor goalkeeping to score on his 100th international appearance – the Barcelona star has now scored in three consecutive soccer world cups.
It was a subpar performance from the Uruguayans and coach Oscar Tabarez will be hoping that his side improve their game ahead of the group finale against an in-form Russia team.
Uruguay are yet to concede a goal at the tournament, but defender Jose Gimenez, who scored the late winner in the first game against Egypt, is set to miss the clash due to a thigh injury. Ex-Liverpool and current Sporting Lisbon centre-back, Sebastian Coates, is in line to replace the Atletico Madrid star.
Uruguay will need to claim all three points if they want to finish as group winners, but if Suarez and Edinson Cavani are back at their prolific best, La Celeste have a great chance of doing so.
Russia
Written off as no-hopers before the soccer world cup, Russia are brimming with confidence having made it past the group stage of a soccer world cup for the first time since the Soviet Union lost to Belgium in the Last 16 in 1986.
After claiming a thumping 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, Russia hammered Mohamed Salah’s Egypt 3-1 last week. Stanislav Cherchesov’s side will be eager to maintain the remarkable momentum they have gained throughout the tournament and will fancy their chances of victory over Uruguay after watching the Saudis give La Celeste a hard time, but the host nation just require a draw to finish top of Group A thanks to their superior goal difference.
Denis Cheryshev has been key for Russia with three goals in his side’s first two fixtures and he’ll try to improve on that to push the hosts to the top of the table. He is 17/4 as an Anytime Goalscorer at Hollywoodbets.
Alan Dzgoev is set to miss out once again after picking up a hamstring injury in Russia’s opener against Saudi Arabia.
Verdict: Uruguay Win (7/4)
I’m expecting a tight affair here, but Uruguay’s quality up front with Suarez and Cavani should give them the edge.
Full soccer world cup 2018 Fixtures HERE
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