FIFA World Cup 2018 Preview - Group A

The largest spectacle in the footballing world is now less than three months away. With a four year gap in between each World Cup, the build-up and qualifications during that time frame have been quite intense.

Many large nations who routinely take their places within the prestigious 32 team field, will be noticeably missing from the field, including Italy, who ended a six decade streak of competing in the largest soccer tournament in the world.

The Netherlands, United States and Chile were also on the list of uninvited guests to Russia after shameful qualifying results, now each country have made wholesale changes internally, with the goals of claiming a spot in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.

Those who did earn a priceless spot in the final 32 must be congratulated, now with the full support of their countries behind them, the participating nations are sure to leave everything they have on the pitch, with the dream of lifting the FIFA World Cup Trophy during the finale in July. 

Before World Cup action begins, I'll break down each of the Groups looking for value, betting angles and offering predictions for advancement. Group A features the host nation, Russia, as well as two squads from the MIddle East, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and the always dangerous team from Uruguay.

Group A - Preview

Russia

Russia will headline the Group as the host nation, after earning an automatic bid into final 32. The hosts will draw the largest amounts of support when taking to the pitch, along with a formidable squad, "Sbornaya".  They will have every opportunity to advance out of Group A.

Stanislav Cherchesov has been assigned with the task of leading the National Team to victory, the legendary Goalkeeper made his debut on the sideline in 2016, after being specifically selected to lead his home Country to the promise land, Cherchesov was given two years of preparation leading up to their kick-off match in June.

The 23 man squad is highlighted by Captain Igor Akinfeev, the CSKA goalkeeper will anchor the Russians back-line, while Fyodor Smolov, Igor Akinfeev, Aleksandr Golovin, and twins Aleksei and Anton Miranchuk look to be the leading candidates to lead the front-line attack.

Russia have preferred a 3-5-1-1 formation leading up to their first match, taking an Italian philosophy of a 3 man back-line with defense as a priority, the hosts must stay organized to make up for a lack of overall talent in the back. While their attacking players are above average, it will be interesting to see if they are able to really show their qualities within the system they currently play in.

Expect the hosts to have their hands full with their current format., Even so, the Russians should be considered the favorites to grab the second seed, and ultimately advance out of the opening rounds of competition.

Odds To Advance Out Of (Group A )  +155 / 2.55

Egypt

Egypt make their long awaited return to the World Cup, after last participating in 1990. Expect the Pharaohs to play as one of the more determined sides in the tournament.

Héctor Cúper will lead the Egyptians into battle. Cúper has reemerged back on the World scene after several years of high level success in Europe's top leagues and the Argentine head man will attempt to finally capture that elusive finals trophy.

Egypt will make life on their opponents a nightmare, playing a dull brand of defensive football, orchestrated to just grind out results. The Pharaohs have only conceded more than 2 Goals twice in their last 31 matches, placing a true emphasis on organization throughout the squad.

Essam El-Hadary will take the role as the oldest player at the World Cup, the 45 year old goalkeeper will be responsible for manning the net, his efforts are a key component to his managers philosophy in play.

Mohamed Salah will be the center-piece in the Egyptian attack, the Liverpool man will draw much of the attention from opposing defenders, his explosive pace down the wings makes him special within the Reds attack, while his role on the National Team differs from what we have come accustomed to seeing in Europe.

Cúper has instilled a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Rami Rabia and Ahmed Hegazi leading the defensive back-line, Midfielders Mohamed Elneny and Al Ahly's Abdallah Said will run much of the show from their positions, while Kahraba, Ramadan Sobhi, and Mahmoud Hassan "Trézéguet" will offer support to Salah in attack.

Expect low scoring, uneventful matches when the Egyptians are playing, a 1-0 type of result is a perfect scenario for the Pharaohs, but their brand of football does very well in these types of tournaments, expect a better showing than many might think from one of Africa's representatives.

Odds To Advance Out Of (Group A ) +570 / 6.7

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia are the unknown within the Group. The Green Falcons make their first appearance since 2008, led by former Chile National Team manager Juan Antonio Pizzi, but not much is expected from the minnow side.

Pizzi is the third manager within the year to lead the Saudi's. After Bert van Marwijk guided the squad to qualifications, he was abruptly let go by the Federations board. With stability not being the strong suit in the managerial market, the Green Falcons have learned to overcome all the distractions and earned their spot in the round of 32.

Saudi Arabia have been conformed to a 4-3-3 alignment, with intentions of going forward and creating opportunities and shots on goal, the Africa representatives will lean on Nawaf Al Abed and Fahad Al-Muwallad to create mismatches, and lead the way in their overall success.

The Saudis are the ultimate underdogs in the Group, as they are vastly inexperienced in International play, even with Juan Antonio Pizzi at the helm. It will be hard to see this squad staying competitive against the remaining nations in the overall Group.

Odds To Advance Out Of (Group A )  -3500 / 36

Uruguay

Uruguay will enter play as the favorites to top the group. The tiny South American country has become a factory for top class talent on the worlds stage, "La Celeste" look to make another deep run in a tournament they have come to relish.

Óscar Tabárez (The Teacher), placed in charge of the Countries footballing growth in 2006, will lead yet another group of National Team members to a World Cup event, Tabárez has failed to disappoint by leading his side to 3 straight qualifications, as well as allowing the opportunities for his players to get maximum exposure on the grandest football stage.

The Sky Blues have often switched their formations, mostly playing within a 4-4-2 with two designated strikers at the top of the line. We have also seen versions of a 4-1-4-1 and 4-3-3, so Uruguay are multi-facted in how they can go about attacking their opponents.

Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani are a lethal combination at the top of the Uruguay front-line, the Barcelona and PSG men will not be deterred by the large stage, having played with the biggest clubs in the world,. This dynamic combination of players truly make the South American side go, with 58 combined Goals during the 2017-2018 campaign. Expect those numbers to grow once they step onto the pitches in Russia.

Uruguay are the most complete squad in the Group, with crafty veterans like Diego Godín, to go along with young upstarts Federico Valverde, Matías Vecino, Rodrigo Bentancur and Nahitan Nández, this squad is strategically situated to handle any situation they may encounter through the World Cup process.

Expect "La Celeste" to get through to the next round, their style of play and overall talent trumps their opposition by a fairly significant level. South American squads have traditionally fared well in these types of formats, lead by "The Teacher" they are battle tested and ready to give the larger Countries a run for their money once again.

Odds To Advance Out Of (Group A )  +100 / 2.0

Group A Predictions

Group A is considered one of the weaker arrangements of teams, but based on the styles of play, and players and managers involved, we could see some of the more competitive fixtures in the World Cup bracket.

The safest Investment to advance out of the four-some will surely be Uruguay, but Egypt and Russia must be respected based on specific advantages they each own.

The Russians playing on their own soil, and the backing of the home country can never be overlooked, while the Egyptians play a perfect style of football for these types of tournaments and have a Manager with a wealth of experience to calm his players during the overall process, Keep these two sides in mind when looking for an underdog, an alternative nation to advance to the Round of 16.

Best Of Luck To All