Russia vs Egypt, 2018 FIFA World Cup Group A Match Preview: Start Time, Probable Lineup and Match Prediction

Russia will lock horns with Egypt in their second Group A game of FIFA World Cup 2018, on Thursday. The Egypt team will be bolstered by the returning Mohamed Salah, who sat out during their opening game against Uruguay in a losing cause. On the other side, Russia would be confident heading into the match after a 5-0 thrashing they lashed out to Saudi Arabia in the first match of 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Another win in the group stage, today, will seal Russia’s spot in the knockout stage. However, they will be facing a resurgent Egyptian team which would be a stronger side, with the addition of Mohamed Salah. On the other hand, Egypt would be looking to make of Salah’s presence. The team doctor has declared that Salah is 100 percent fit and will be available for selection, heading into the match. Russia vs Egypt match at 2018 FIFA World Cup will start at 11.30 pm IST.

Russia currently tops Group A charts on goal difference ahead of Uruguay while Egypt is placed third and another defeat for the North African nation will force them for an early exit from the mega event.

Salah's return strengthens Egypt while Russia will be weakened by the absence of creative midfielder Alan Dzagoev, who suffered an injury in the opening game. FIFA World Cup 2018 Schedule.

"Salah participated in training with his teammates for the entire session, and he is ready to play against Russia according to technical staff," Egypt's team manager Ihab Leheta was quoted as saying by FIFA.com. "Russia's game is fateful and difficult because of our defeat against Uruguay," he added.

Denis Cheryshev, who was Russia's hero against Saudi Arabia after scoring twice, however, feels even if Salah misses Tuesday's game, their task will not be easy. "If he (Salah) is not there, does that mean our task becomes easy? Not at all," Cheryshev was quoted as saying by FIFA.com. 2018 FIFA World Cup Group A Preview: Schedule Timetable With Match Dates, Venues & Kick-Off Times in IST of Russia, Egypt, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Football WC.

The left winger felt that Salah's inclusion in Egypt's playing XI will make the issue interesting. "If he plays, it will be hard but more interesting. He's one of the best, and you always want to compete with the best and win," Cheryshev added.

Apart from Cheryshev, Roman Zobnin, Aleksandr Golovin, Yury Zhirkov, Alexander Samedov will comprise the midfield behind Fedor Smolov. The dynamic midfield has shown in the previous game that it can initiate attacks from any part of the pitch. Mario Fernandes, Ilya Kutepov and Sergey Ignashevich will form the defence.

Russia has to put the result against Saudi Arabia behind them as the game against Egypt will a different story. With or without Salah, the hosts will have to fight hard to register another victory.  A win or a draw against Russia will keep Egypt's hopes alive ahead of its final group game against Saudi Arabia on June 25.

Overall, all eyes will be on Salah, who almost single-handedly led Egypt to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years. The 26-year-old, who plays as a forward for English club Liverpool, netted five of the team's eight qualifying goals, including an injury-time penalty against Republic of Congo that ensured qualification got Egypt. 2018 FIFA World Cup Schedule in IST for PDF Download: Fixtures, Groups, Time Table with Matches in Indian Time & Venue Details of Football WC in Russia.

Salah will share the attack with Marwan Mohsen and Amr Warda, while the midfield of Tarek Hamed, Mohamed Elneny and Abdalla Said will be tasked with landing balance.

The backline of Ali Gabr, Ahmed Hegazi, Ahmed Fathi and Mohamed Abdel-Shafy had nearly stopped Uruguay before a late set-piece goal blew them away. The four players will have to block the severe Russian attacks.

Russia Probable Starting Lineup: Akinfeev; Kudryashov, Ignashevich, Granat, Fernandes; Zhirkov, Kuzyaev, Golovin, Samedov; Smolov, and Miranchuk.

Egypt Probable Starting Lineup: M Salah, M Trezeguet, Abdalla, Warda, Elneny, Tarek Hamed, Abdel Shafy, A Hegazy, Ali Gabr, A Fathi, and M Elshanawy.

Russia and Egypt, 2018 FIFA World Cup Group A Match Prediction: Russia 1-2 Egypt. (Inputs from IANS).

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 19, 2018 05:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).