The second match of the World Cup will be played between a strong Uruguay and a Mo Salah led Egypt in Group A. Apart from Egypt and Uruguay, the group has Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Uruguay is definitely one of the dark horses of World Cup 2018. The front line lead by Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani is a very dangerous one and the defence of Diego Godin & Jose Maria Gimenez along with a young talented midfield makes for a strong team. They finished just second behind Brazil in the South American Qualifiers.
On the other hand, Egypt has qualified for the World Cup after 28 years courtesy of brilliant performance by Mohammed Salah in the African Qualifier.
Form
After qualifying for the World cup, Uruguay has been in wonderful forms. They are coming into the World winning all 3 of their last matches. Apart from that, Uruguay has seen at least 3 goals scored in 13 of their last 18 matches. So you can surely expect to see at least more than 3 goals.
On the other hand, Egypt hasn’t won in their last 5 matches coming into World Cup 2018. They draw 2 while losing the remaining 3 of them. The Pharaoh’s have also failed to score in 3 of their last 4 games.
Although Mo Salah is declared ready to play, it is highly unlikely that he will be risked against the mean Atletico Madrid’s defensive pair of Godin & Gimenez. Anyways, Egypt is very unlikely to end up victorious in this match up and they will have better chances of winning against Russia and Saudi Arabia with a fit Mo Salah.
Squads
Uruguay has a very strong forward line up with Edinson Cavani and Luiz Suarez both enjoying a good run of form domestically with Paris St-Germain and Barcelona. Luiz Suarez has scored 25 goals in La Liga while Cavani was the top scorer of Ligue 1 with 28 goals. Cavani was also the top scorer for Uruguay in the South American Qualifiers scoring 10 goals in 18 matches.
They also have a good back up strikers in Maxi Gomez and Christian Stuani. They have amazing young players in the midfield with the likes Lucas Terriera, Rodrigo Bentacur and Matias Vecino.
Uruguay Predicted XI:
Muslera, Pereira, Gimenez, Godin, Caceres, Acosta, Bentacur, Vecino, Arrascaeta, Suarez, Cavani
Egypt is not the one with a strong team but they somehow made it through the qualifiers with their passion and commitment. Their chances of making it out of the group stage depend very much on Mo Salah. Apart from Salah, Arsenal’s midfielder Mohamed Elneny and West Brom’s Ahmed Hegazi are the other players that will have to step up for Egypt.
Egypt Predicted XI:
El Hadary, Fathy, Gabr, Hegazi, Abbel Shafy, Elneny, Hamed, Hassan, Bekhit, Sobhi, Mohsen
Prediction
With Uruguay being in a marvellous form, it seems hard that Egypt will be able to stop them. With such a strong front line, it is expected to be a goal fest. It will be hard for Egypt to keep the likes of Suarez and Cavani to find the back of the net.
Egypt 0-3 Uruguay
Odds
Uruguay to win 3-0 with the odds of 11/1.
Uruguay to win with more than 2.5 goals at 21/10.
Edinson Cavani to score anytime at 6/5.
Odds at LeoVegas and Mr. Green
Egypt to win at massive odds of 8.
Draw at the odds of 13/5.
Uruguay to win at 4/7.
Odds of over 2.5 goals being scored at 3/2.
Odds of under 2.5 goals being scored at ½.
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