Labelled the "Group of Life" of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Group A features the two lowest-ranked teams in the tournament, Saudi Arabia and host nation Russia. Along with Mo Salah's Egypt who are only ranked 46th in the world themselves, these three teams will surely be battling it out for the second qualifying spot behind Uruguay.
Hosting the world's greatest team sporting event is a double-edged sword. Leaving aside the economic and social benefits, the Russian national football team will feed off their passionate home crowd who will create a hostile atmosphere for rival teams.
But with the eyes of 144 million locals as well as the global football community on Russia, there will be a huge amount of pressure on their national team to not only perform well, but also reach the knockout stage.
The 2017 Confederations Cup looks to be a good form guide for how Russia will go. In the traditional lead-up tournament to the World Cup, Russia lost against Mexico and Portugal and notched a sole victory against minnows New Zealand, which wasn't enough to escape the group phase.
More recently, Russia have failed to record a win from their last five friendlies, causing their FIFA world ranking to plummet to 66.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Russia's experienced players have an intimate understanding of each other's games and playing style. With minimal changes to their squad over the last five years and given most players ply their trade in the domestic Russian league, the team's strength lies in their collective understanding and chemistry- a vital attribute in decisive moments.
While Russia's squad has all the unity and tenacity to grind out games, their ageing roster seems to lack the spark and attacking threat of other teams. If Aleksandr Kokorin can't reproduce his goal scoring knack from club level, it's hard to see where Russia's goals will come from.
Best Player
Shot-stopper and captain Igor Akinfeev may well hold Russia's prospects in his experienced hands. Long-time goalkeeper for CSKA Moscow and the Russian national team, Akinfeev has cat-like reflexes and is capable of pulling off acrobatic saves.
Player to Watch
In an ageing squad, young midfielder Aleksandr Golovin is Russia's brightest prospect. Also playing his club football with Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow, Golovin has begun to develop into one of Europe's best central midfielders and has recently been linked with several EPL clubs.
Key Stat
In the history of the World Cup, only 1 host nation has failed to progress to the knockout phase- South Africa in 2010.
Betting Tip
Despite having an easy group, Russia will struggle to finish in the top 2. The $3.45 on offer for them not to progress past the group stage looks great value.
Saudi Arabia: The rank outsiders
After coaching Saudi Arabia to qualification for their first World Cup since 2006, Bert van Marwijk's contract was not extended by the heads of Saudi football, leading him to pick up the head coaching role for the Socceroos.
Van Marwijk's vacancy has been filled by former Barcelona player and coach of the Chile national team Juan Antonio Pizzi Torroja who will be determined to steer his new team into the knockout stages.
Coming in as the lowest ranked team in the tournament at 70th, it is no surprise that Saudi Arabia are the rank outsiders.
Since Pizzi Torroja was appointed to the helm, the side have conceded four goals in two separate matches. He faces a monumental task in getting Saudi Arabia past the group stage and into the round of 16, a feat which has only been achieved by the middle eastern nation once way back in the 1994 World Cup.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Saudi Arabia pose a legitimate threat going forward. They are especially dangerous on the counterattack, with bags of pace to burn.
However, unless Pizzi Torroja and his staff can work wonders, Saudi Arabia's defence looks extremely vulnerable. Despite boasting a swathe of experienced defenders who play their club football in the Saudi Arabian league, that standard won't cut it at the highest level of international football.
Best Player
Diminutive and pacey Nawaf Al Abed is a versatile attacking player who can be clinical in the big moments. Capable of playing anywhere in the midfield as well as a striker, Al Abed has played his whole career with Saudi giants Al Hilal and has 43 national caps to his name.
Player to Watch
Currently on loan at Spanish La Liga club Levante, Fahad Al Muwallad is one of the few Saudi footballers who plays outside his home nation. Young, rapid and bustling with energy, Al Muwallad is the type of player who can change the game. He proved this when coming off the bench to score the goal against Japan that sent Saudi Arabia to their first World Cup since 2006.
Key Stat
Along with Australia, Saudi Arabia scored the most goals in Asian qualifying (45) at an average of 2.5 goals per game.
Betting Tip
While Saudi Arabia can be dangerous on the counter, they lack the defence and presence on the ball to progress to the round of 16. The bookies have got it right to have Saudi Arabia at $1.40 to finish last in Group A.
Egypt: More than Mo Salah
When Mohamed Salah scored a 95th-minute winning penalty against Congo to win the game and send Egypt to their first World Cup in 28 years, the entire country went berserk. It was a moment that crystallised the importance of the World Cup, as well as solidifying Mo Salah as the national hero of Egypt.
Despite Salah's incredible past 12 months which has seen him crowned the EPL's best player, you'd be foolish to assume that Egypt is a one-man team. Their squad is jam-packed with young talent as well as some older heads who can impose themselves on the game.
In the easiest group on paper in the tournament, the Pharaohs will fancy their chances of progressing into the round of 16. If they are to do so however, they will have to turn around their recent form, which has slumped after the euphoria of qualification.
Strengths & Weaknesses
There is no going past Salah and Egypt's attack when it comes to their main strength. With skill, speed and class, opposition defences will have to be on their toes.
Egypt's weakness and potential downfall is their reliance on individual skill- particularly from Salah- to win them games.
The Pharaohs are currently ranked 46th in the world, and if they play according to that rank they won't go far in the tournament. Argentinian coach Hector Cuper needs to get his team to add a few more gears to their game, particularly around their ability to create goals through good passing and teamwork.
Best Player
The man who seems to be breaking records for fun at Liverpool is the undoubted key player for Egypt, and perhaps the tournament, Mo Salah. If Salah can lead his team out of the group stage and perhaps even further, expect him to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or as the world's best player over the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Player to Watch
Stoke City's Ramadan Sobhi is a talented winger with a bag of tricks capable of bamboozling opposition defenders. Sobhi is still only 21 and yet to reach his full potential. He won't be playing second fiddle to Salah in Egypt's attack for much longer.
Key Stat
Egypt haven't conceded more than 3 goals in a game since 2013.
Betting Tip
Uruguay will be hard to catch for the top spot in Group A, but Egypt won't be far away. Egypt are paying $2.50 to qualify from the group, which seems way over the odds for us.
Uruguay: The dark horses in light blue
In the tricky South American qualification pool, Uruguay did it pretty easy in the end and were only bested by Brazil in their race to the top. After facing the quality of their South American opposition in the qualifiers, the seemingly straightforward task of topping this group should be breezy for Uruguay and their undeniable talent.
With all their key players at the peak of their powers, Uruguay could make a genuine run at the coveted gold trophy.The team commonly referred to as La Celeste have thrice finished fourth in the World Cup and there is nothing to suggest that they can't make it to the semi-finals again.
Uruguayan denizens will be desperate to upstage neighbours and big brothers Brazil and Argentina, with their third World Cup triumph in Russia very much a possibility.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Uruguay's strength comes in the trio of 31-year-olds who have long been stalwarts of the national set-up. Captain and defensive rock Diego Godin, and the lethal strike partnership of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, all rank among the best in the world in their respective positions. Their winning mentality and technical ability will be hard to overcome.
If Uruguay did have a weakness, it would be their midfield, which pales in comparison to their forwards and backs. However, it is by no means a pushover, and Uruguay still shape up as a well-rounded team.
Best Player
While Luis Suarez is one of the most despised characters in world football, there is no denying his deadly finishing ability. The Barcelona striker is prolific in front of goal and has bagged an incredible 50 goals from his 97 international caps. If he comes into this tournament hungry (for scoring goals, not for opposing flesh) he will challenge for the Golden Boot.
Player to Watch
At just 20 years of age, Rodrigo Bentancur is being touted as a future star. The Juventus midfielder is equally capable off both feet, adept at winning the ball back, and is a physical presence in the centre of the pitch.
Key Stat
In the 12 World Cups that Uruguay have qualified for, they have progressed past the group stage on 9 occasions.
Betting Tip
In the 'Group of Life', getting into the round of 16 will be no problem. Depending on who they draw, Uruguay could easily go on a run to the semis. The juicy odds of $5 to make the semi-finals are a steal.
May 24, 2018 12:57 PM
AAP
Russia: The hosts
Saudi Arabia: The rank outsiders
Egypt: More than Mo Salah
Uruguay: The dark horses in light blue
