World Cup 2018: Uruguay v Saudi Arabia preview, prediction, kick-off time, team news and line-ups

Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia: World Cup 2018 prediction, betting tips, odds, kick-off time, team news and line-ups, what TV channel, live stream online, head to head

Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia | World Cup 2018, Group A | Friday, June 20 | Rostov Arena.

World Cup 2018: Uruguay v Saudi Arabia preview, prediction, kick-off time, team news and line-ups.

Jose Gimenez scored a later winner as Uruguay beat Egypt in their first group game, and victory over Saudi Arabia today will confirm their place in the knockout stages.

The South Americans were good value for the win but Luis Suarez will be concerned with his own form in front of goal after a number of misses.

Saudi Arabia's confidence will be rock bottom after a surprise 5-0 loss in the opening game. They must win to stay alive in the tournament.



Group A        P W D L F A Pts

Russia        2 2 0 0 8 1 6
Uruguay        1 1 0 0 1 0 3
Saudi Arabia  1 0 0 1 0 5 0
Egypt        2 0 0 2 1 4 0

Team news

Sanchez and Rodriguez are set to start for Uruguay while Saudi Arabia might make changes after their defeat to Russia.

Match stats

World Cup 2018: Uruguay v Saudi Arabia. This is the third encounter between Uruguay and Saudi Arabia and the first at a World Cup. The Saudis are unbeaten in the two previous fixtures, both home friendlies (W1 D1).

World Cup 2018: Uruguay v Saudi Arabia, This is Saudi Arabia's 15th game at the World Cup but their first against a South American side.
Uruguay have won all three of their previous World Cup games against Asian opponents, scoring five and conceding just once (includes a 1970 victory against Israel, then part of the AFC).
Saudi Arabia have finished bottom of their group in their last three World Cup appearances, their best performance dating back to their opening tournament in 1994 (knocked out by Sweden in the round of 16).

World Cup 2018: Uruguay v Saudi Arabia, Uruguay are looking to win their first two matches of a World Cup tournament for the first time since 1954.
Saudi Arabia have failed to score in eight of their last 10 World Cup games. They didn't have a single shot on target in their opener against Russia.
Saudi Arabia have conceded 14 headed goals at the World Cup since their debut in 1994, more than any other team over that period.
Uruguay have lost just one of their last nine World Cup group games (W5 D3), winning five of their last six.

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World Cup 2018: Uruguay v Saudi Arabia. Should Luis Suarez make an appearance in this game for Uruguay, he'll win his 100th cap and become the sixth Uruguayan to reach this landmark.
José Giménez's (89:01) strike versus Egypt was the latest winning goal by Uruguay in a World Cup game since Daniel Fonseca versus South Korea in 1990 (91:01).

World Cup 2018: Belgium vs Panama Lineups, Preview & Prediction

World Cup 2018: Belgium vs Panama Lineups, Preview & Prediction

Belgium will be without defenders Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen when they start their World Cup Group G campaign against Panama on Monday (4pm BST).

World Cup 2018: Belgium vs. Panama preview, players to watch, key stats.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Belgium : Eden Hazard

It was not the best of seasons for Hazard and Chelsea. There were flashes of brilliance but like Chelsea /  who surrendered its Premier League crown to Manchester City – Hazard was inconsistent. However, the Belgium star has the opportunity to regain his best form in the pursuit of glory in Russia.

Panama : Roman Torres

The hulking defender is the face of Panama and its captain. One of the region's most feared and experienced center-backs, Roman Torres — whose last-gasp goal saw Panama through to the World Cup — is a threat at set-pieces, while the Central Americans will be relying on the 32-year-old to stop Lukaku.

KEY OPTA FACTS

- This will be the first ever encounter between Belgium and Panama.

- Belgium is unbeaten in its last nine World Cup group games, winning each of its last four.

- Panama made it to the World Cup with a negative goal difference (minus one), winning only three of its 10 games in the final round of qualifying.

- Roberto Martinez is the first non-Belgian manager to lead the Red Devils at a major tournament since Scot Doug Livingston in 1954.

- Panama boss Hernan Dario Gomez is set for his third World Cup with a third different team, having led Colombia (1998) and Ecuador (2002) previously.

World Cup 2018, Belgium vs Panama: Belgium Determined To Live Up To Expectations Against Debutants Panama.


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World Cup 2018 groups: games, tables, current standings and analysis,
Group G - Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

BELGIUM

It's time to deliver for a team featuring such exceptional talent. But Belgium is a country that is yet to break into the semi-finals of a tournament.

It is widely acknowledged they have been held back by mediocre management. Now it is up to Roberto Martinez, a Spanish coach, to get the best out of this plethora of stars.

If you have Romelu Lukaku up front, Eden Hazard as a creative genius and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for a final lock on goal, the ingredients for success are there.

There are issues in defence. Central defender Vincent Kompany is as brittle as he can be brilliant and there are very few credible back-ups available for the likes of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.

Key player: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - Overshadowed Eden Hazard at the 2014 World Cup, he has only grown in stature, especially since his move to City and his more withdrawn position on the pitch.

Coach: Roberto Martinez was a surprise pick for Belgium when they ditched Marc Wilmots after a disappointing Euro 2016. The Spaniard easily adapted to life in international management.

PANAMA

A first qualification for the World Cup earned Panama a national holiday.

The Central Americans made it to Russia in style, defeating Costa Rica 2-1 in the final qualifier.

Panama has only four million people, but finished ahead of the United States, which has about 320 million.

Key player: Luis Tejada (Universitario) - The striker has scored 43 goals for Panama.

Coach: Hernan Dario Gomez - The Colombian has worked his magic again. He got Colombia into the 1998 World Cup, and then did the same for Ecuador in 2002. Now it is Panama's turn.