Expect a tough game for the hosts and plenty of cards in the World Cup opener.
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Here’s Will Rook‘s tip for Russia v Saudi Arabia to get you started…
Draw –
Russia are without a win in seven matches in a sequence that has seen them fail to beat Iran, Austria and Turkey.
Saudi Arabia beat two teams ranked higher than the tournament hosts just last month in Algeria and Greece, so this opening game will be far from a walkover.
Fedor Smolov to score –
Three of Russia’s last five goals have been scored by Smolov, who bagged 14 goals in just 22 appearances for FK Krasnodar this season.
He is their biggest attacking threat and should hit the ground running against the weakest team in Group A.
Mohammad Al-Sahlawi to score –
Saudi Arabia netted in both of their defeats against both Italy and Germany.
Al-Sahlawi scored 16 goals in qualifying and twice came close against the Germans last time out, having had a penalty saved and then been foiled by a last-ditch Mats Hummels tackle.
Over 2.5 cards
Russia have collected at least two cards in each of their last three matches.
If things don’t go their way, tempers could flare.
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