Normally battling over who has the worst human rights record, Russia and Saudi Arabia face off at 4pm on ITV 1 in one of the least inspiring World Cup curtain raisers in recent memory.

While the hosts could have been drawn in far tougher groups, they aren’t necessarily guaranteed to reach the last-16. Far and away favourites to finish top are Uruguay, who are at a Group A Index spread of 16.5-18, with Russia then at 11.75-13.25, Egypt at 7-8.5 and Saudi Arabia at a measly 1.5-3.



The Russians’ preparation for the World Cup has been pretty dismal. In the 15 games they’ve played in the last 15 months – 12 friendlies and 3 appearances in the Confederations Cup – they were victorious only thrice, drawing 5 and losing the other 7. They haven’t even won in 2018, with defeats against Brazil, France and Austria, and a draw against Turkey.

Still they have the might of a nation behind them, and a very soft start to the competition. Making their first appearance at a World Cup since 2006, the Saudis booked their tickets to Moscow after finishing in 2nd in the AFC’s Group B during qualification.

But without Nawaf Al-Abed they’ve lost their star playmaker, and top scorer in qualification, meaning they may struggle to challenge the hosts, with Spreadex offering a Russia/Saudi Arabia Goal Supremacy spread of 1.1-1.3 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.2-2.4.

Far more enticing is Friday’s trip to Yekaterinburg, as Uruguay take on Egypt at 1pm on BBC One – though the fixture’s real juiciness may be dependent on whether or not Mohamed Salah makes it onto the pitch.



The blistering Liverpool forward is a big question mark heading into the competition, with the shoulder injury he picked up in the Champions League final at one point ruling him out of Egypt’s first group game. At a Super Mega PGM of 17-21 he is currently scheduled to play on Saturday, though what form he will be in is less clear.

Sadly for Egypt, Uruguay aren’t anywhere near as reliant on one player. Though, yes, Luis Suarez, at a Super Mega PGM of 39-45, is their figure head, they also have Edison Cavani at 32-38, Celta Vigo youngster Maxi Gomez at 21-26 to fall back on.

Chances are that Salah alone won’t be enough to enough for the North African nation to triumph on Friday, with Spreadex offering a Uruguay/Egypt Goal Supremacy spread of 0.8-1 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.1-2.3.