RUSSIA v EGYPT | Preview | DO or DIE Match for Egypt

Match Info:

Time: 20:00 Cairo Local Time | 15:00 ET Canada-USA
Venue: Saint Petersburg Stadium
LIVE: NileSports
This will be the first meeting between Russia and Egypt.

Egypt will turn to probably the only man who can finish off their counter attacks – Mo Salah, of course – when they meet hosts Russia in a make-or-break World Cup clash in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday.

The Pharaohs were widely praised for a solid defensive display against a mighty Uruguay side featuring the likes of fearsome attacking duo Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, but they had their resistance broken by a 90th-minute winner from defender Jose Gimenez on Friday.

All focus will be on Mohamed Salah’s fitness and availability after the forward missed the opening fixture due to the fact that he is still recovering from the shoulder injury he sustained during the Champions League final.

Egypt manager Hector Cuper was expected to start the striker after stating he was 100 per cent fit – or at the very least sub him on – but the Liverpool star took no part in his side’s late 1-0 loss to Uruguay.

Russia scored more goals in the first game of the 2018 World Cup than any other team in the tournament.

Their performance against Saudi Arabia was so impressive that Russian President Vladimir Putin felt compelled to call head coach Stanislav Cherchesov during his post-match press conference, telling him to pass on his congratulations to the players.

A crucial Group A win against Russia will be a crucial chance for the Pharaohs to make it to the last 16.

Egyptian fans are ready to support The Pharaohs in a DO or Die Match against the host Russia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5XuYycN_qg

Predicted Line-ups

Russia (4-2-3-1): Akinfeev, Fernandes, Kutepov, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Yerokhin, Gazinskiy, Miranchuk, Golovin, Cheryshev, Dyzuba

Egypt (4-3-3): El-Shenawy, Fathy, Gabr, Hegazy, Abdel-Shafy, Elneny, Said, Hamed, Warda, Salah, Trezeguet