Group A at the World Cup in Russia features a very intriguing matchup as Egypt might have the best player in their matchup with Uruguay on June 15th. However, the South Americans have the better all-around team on paper. Which will win out?
What To Know About Egypt
Egypt makes their second trip to the World Cup as they won their group in CAF qualification, and they are powered by Mohamed Salah, who has had a breakout season with Liverpool. Salah has 33 goals in 57 appearances for his country, including one in a 2-1 loss against Portugal. However, that game also highlighted Egypt’s shortcomings as they can’t afford to have concentration lapses as they did, allowing Portugal to score twice in injury time. They do have experience at the back in 45-year-old goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary and 33-year-old defender Ahmed Fathy, but the supporting cast has to be better around them. Also, Egypt needs someone to step up and help out Salah; the leading candidate is Trezeguet, a 23-year-old midfielder who has scored twice in 22 games for Egypt.
What To Know About Uruguay
Uruguay won the World Cup in 1930 and 1950, and they went out in the round of 16 in 2014 in Brazil. They finished second in CONMEBOL to go to Russia, and they still have one of the top strike duos in the world in Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. Suarez is always on the edge of madness, but he seems to have mellowed out recently, although you never know. Captain Diego Godin marshals an effective defense in front of Fernando Muslera, but the problem for Uruguay comes in the middle of the pitch. They have solid players like Carlos Sanchez and Cristian Rodriguez, but neither of them can turn a game on its head. That often leads Suarez and Cavani with too much to do up front, so someone will have to supply the forwards to give Uruguay a shot at winning their third World Cup.
Outlook
Uruguay are the favorites at 1.65 in this Group A matchup, while Egypt comes in at 6.00 and a draw is rated at 3.50. These two met in a friendly in 2006 with Uruguay pulling out a 2-0 away win, but this game won’t be won so easily. In Salah, Egypt has a player that can pull out a goal from anywhere on the pitch with his pace and shooting, so they don’t need many chances. Their defense is solid enough and they will have hopefully learned a few lessons from their friendly loss to Portugal. Uruguay, on the other hand, might be on its last run with this generation of players and they have to come out and play like a desperate team from the first whistle. They have more talent than Egypt and many other teams, but it hasn’t always worked out well for Uruguay and if they can only muster a draw in the opening match, there might be some tension heading into the next one. Uruguay can’t afford to overlook Egypt here.
World Cup Betting Pick: Uruguay
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