There’s 34 more days until The 2018 FIFA World Cup at Russia. The PerSources Soccer Team are teaming up to give our group predictions leading up to kick-off.
Group A Overview:
Russia being the host nation it will be an easy route for the rest of teams to try to advance to the knockout. I’m not expect too much to happen in Group A. Uruguay will be have no problem advancing. I also see Egypt advancing as the 2nd team out of the group but it won’t be easy as Uruguay because they don’t have the same caliber as a team like them.
-Martin 2.0 (@Martin_E_Mtz)
Group features interesting teams that all play different styles. The host, Russia, will work the ball out wide and look to send it in to front man Fedor Smolov while playing five at the back. Uruguay are lead by superstars for that play for European teams (Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, and Diego Godin). A physical team that will wear their opponents and make every challenge necessary. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are the same but different in so many ways. Both teams like to grind out results typically. Egypt have Salah at the peak of his power while the Saudi’s have Mohammad Al Sahlawi, scored most goals in WCQ. But each team could be into shock the South American and European sides. I see the Uruguayans topping the group with Egypt and Russia battling it out for second place. Goal difference will decide Egypts fate as they move onto the knockout round.
-Cam (@CamB_PerSources)
Group A could potentially be one of the most competitive groups in the entire tournament simply because most teams are within the same talent range. I believe that Uruguay is the only one of the four that has more than one World Class players but even then, they failed to truly convince me throughout the World Cup qualifiers and their Suarez dependency was exposed during the 2016 Copa America. Russia’s lack of preparation for the tournament will surely end up costing them seeing as how they are still steps away from competing. I am looking forward to seeing Egypt play and sparking what I expect to be one the most entertaining sides of the tournament. It may not be the most star-studded group but Group A could easily be one of the most competitive.
-Martin 1.0 (@MP_persources)
Biggest Concerns:
Martin 2.0: Uruguay’s Defense
While Uruguay having great superstars around Europe and playing well during the WC Qualifications. My biggest concern by them is the defense. Having Godin and J.M. Gimenez in the back field will help them a lot but they don’t have the experience together. Playing for the same team they barely play with each other on the field. Gimenez doesn’t start playing for Atletico until the end of the season. In Copa America Centenario, Uruguay showed inexperience in the back field and i haven’t seen changed. While I don’t see them having trouble in the group stage I don’t see them get past the round of 16.
Cam: Russia’s mounting Pressure
For the Russians the pressure is coming from all over including the fans and Russian Officials. The Russian Football Union has seen this Russian team as under performing in the last few cycles in not reaching the knockout stage since the European Championships in 2008. The country and fans have expected more for the team that couldn’t get out of their Confederations cup group. This is probably their best chance to escape the group stage and make headlines in the knockout tournament. If they fail again it will be seen as a wasted opportunity in front of your home fans.
Players To Watch:
Martin 1.0 : Mo Salah
I hate to be that guy but I have to. We all know Luis Suarez is more than capable of coming up with huge plays when needed. At the same time, we know Cavani does not possess that ability. On the other hand, Mo Salah is still a work in progress and a player that has not been around long enough for teams and players to figure him out and learn how to play against him. He’s been the most on form player in England all year and I’m sure he’ll carry that momentum into the World Cup. He’s no longer an unknown talent but he has transformed into a breathtaking player
Martin 2.0 : Mo Salah
The Liverpool superstar will showcase his talent at the World Cup. The main concern for him will be how well he will play against International teams. Everyone knows Egypt isn’t Liverpool so if he going to carry them to a spot in the Round of 16 or he will come back to earth and struggle all matches. Because the Last International Break Egypt doesn’t seem ready for the challenge. There’s no “role” players to say the least in that team to help out Salah. So we will see how it goes for Egypt.
Cam: Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani
Suarez has had a slow start to his La Liga season at Barcelona, but has fit with Lionel Messi up top nicely. Suarez and Cavani will appear in their third World Cup together as the strike partners. Suarez has scored 24 goals and Cavani has 28 for PSG. The two of them working together has not faired out well to bring success with being knockout in Round of 16 of the 2014, Cavani’s last goal came in the third place game in South Africa 2010. The two will bring Uruguay to the knockout phase again but can the two go further without relying on Diego Forlan like in 2010.
Martin 1.0 Group Predictions:
Winners: Uruguay
Too much top class talent and experience. Uruguay is bringing in two of the best strikers in the World along with an experienced roster that has tasted competition in some of the best leagues in the World. I believe that at the end of the day, players of the highest caliber like Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani will be the difference maker for Uruguay. Finishing first in the group will be a main priority for the South Americans knowing that second place could potentially mean a fixture against Spain.
Dark Horse: Egypt
No real surprise here. The wild card of the group is undoubtedly Egypt. Led by PFA Player of the Year Mo Salah, Egypt has what it takes to be an electrifying, nothing-to-lose, contender in the group. Because of their low profile, not much is known and/or expected from Egypt. Luckily for them, their group is winnable. Any dropped points by Uruguay could potentially mean a first place finish and a much more accessible opponent in the later round.