Russia don't boast a roster of standout players, so will be having to rely on the emerging talents of Aleksandr Golovin, who is their most dangerous attacking player and aged just 22. Aleksandr Kokorin misses out on the tournament due to an injury, and it is a blow for Russia as he would have been the first-choice striker.

Ex-Chelsea full-back Zhirkov is nearing the end of his international career, and playing the finals in his home country would be the perfect send-off.

Potential Russia XI: Akinfeev; Zhirkov, Kutepov, Ignashevich, Fernandes; Golovin, Anton Miranchuk, Zobnin, Samedov; Dzagoev, Smolov


Saudi Arabia's three key men lie in Al-Abed, Al-Muwall and Al-Shehri. Al-Abed netted five times in the qualification stages and remains to be Saudi Arabia's top-scorer en route to the finals, while Al-Mulwall netted the goal that secured his nation's participation in Russia.

Al-Shehri provides the most experience for his team, having been in the side since 2009 and is only 27 years of age.

Potential Saudi Arabia XI: Al-Muaiouf, Al-Burayk, Al-Boleahi, Hawsawi, Al-Harbi, Al-Faraj, Ali-Khaibari, Kanno, Al-Jassim, Al-Shehri, Al-Sahlawi

This should be a sure win for Russia. The odds are in their favour. But again, in the game of football (if the match hasn't been fixed), anything can happen.

Russia 3
Saudi Arabia 0

The only thing way sure for today be say People ticket go burst today

Who gonna win?.
Like for RUSSIA...
share for SAUDI ARABIA...

my fellow betting class member!!!
B.T.S go do for this one..
who is with me.?

Saudi will win because today ends d Muslim fasting and God of Kabba gonna be there for them

All alternative source of energy restored and gallantly waiting for the games to begin.

Click on my signature for my amazing story.

Alas! the long awaited world cup is here.

.. :can't just forget the friendlies when victor moses did this to great harry kane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4nmYO8LOTI&client=mv-google&gl=NG&hl=en-GB

I can see our own Kanno there as somebody's name.

Pressure will be on Russia oo.. ;Dlet the HEAT BEGIN !!

where Saudi Arabian players see strength to play after skipping lunch for almost one month?

Chai. i dey work oo

OK OUR SOPHISTICATED MUSLIM BRETHREN WILL SUPPORT SAUDI ARABIA

Russia will win this one. CHECK MY SIGNATURE

na so.

and over 2.5 thank me later

over 1.5

I see Russia to take host advantage today..... much pressure on them to win

chaarly:
This should be a sure win for Russia. The odds are in their favour. But again, in the game of football (if the match hasn't been fixed), anything can happen.

Russia 3
Saudi Arabia 0

Russia 2
Saudi Arabia 2

WhichKindWahala:
why people stupid like this na??

JUST STATED THE OBVIOUS

So Kokorin no go play?

BAILMONEY:
OK OUR SOPHISTICATED MUSLIM BRETHREN WILL SUPPORT SAUDI ARABIA

World cup has not started you're already bringing in tribal and religious bigotry to pollute a sane thread. Be like say you want to chop ban

dominique:


World cup has not started you're already bringing in tribal and religious bigotry to pollute a sane thread. Be like say you want to chop ban

SO THERES NOTHING LIKE FREEDOM OF SPEECH AGAIN DOMINIQUE ANYWAY I GAT YOU