Dubai_phil v Gavstar (URU v RUS) 14:00 GMT ITV

Will @Polski_Filip’s knees last the match or will he have to sub himself early doors.

Does @gavstar give a damn now that both teams have qualified?

All this and more to be answered during the main 15:00 KO today.

TEAM NEWS
Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez will be without defender Jose Gimenez for his side’s final Group A encounter with Fifa World Cup 2018 hosts Russia.

The Atletico Madrid centre-back, who scored Uruguay’s late winner against Egypt in their opening game, has a thigh injury.

Russia will once again be without midfielder Alan Dzagoev.

The CSKA Moscow midfielder picked up a hamstring injury in the opening 5-0 win against Saudi Arabia.

Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov was in bullish mood ahead of their final Group A showdown with Uruguay on Monday, dismissing suggestions his men were under pressure because of their status as World Cup hosts.

OVERVIEW
While Uruguay and Russia have both won their first two matches, it is the hosts who have appeared most impressive - scoring on eight occasions and conceding just once.

Yet with Portugal and Spain as prospective last-16 opponents, it remains to be seen what advantage either nation will grasp from winning the group when they meet in Samara.

Uruguay’s successive 1-0 victories over Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been underpinned by their resolute defence, with star forward Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani yet to catch fire.

Cavani is yet to score at the tournament but Suarez got off the mark by scoring the only goal of the game against Saudi Arabia.

Russia are the lowest ranked team at the tournament but have surpassed expectations by winning their two games so far and securing their place in the knockout stages.

Despite a point being enough to ensure first place in Group A, Russia boss Cherchesov says his side will not change their approach to the game.

“We are preparing for this game exactly the same way,” he said.

“Qualification doesn’t mean a thing. Those players who are better prepared will play. Our medical team will also advise us. No special changes are expected.”

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

Each of the last three European host nations of a World Cup prior to 2018 have won all three of their group stage games (Germany 2006, France 1998, Italy 1990).
Russia have won six of their eight meetings against Uruguay (D1 L1; includes games as the Soviet Union). However, both nations have a win apiece at World Cup finals.
Uruguay’s only previous win against Russia came in World Cup 1970 thanks to a 117th minute strike by Victor Esparrago.
Uruguay

Uruguay have won their last two World Cup matches against European sides (England and Italy), having failed to win any of their previous 15 against them (W0, D6, L9).
Fernando Muslera could win his 100th cap for Uruguay in this match (currently on 99) and would become the seventh player to reach the landmark for La Celeste.
Russia

Russia have lost each of their last four World Cup meetings with South American sides, scoring just once - including their 1970 World Cup loss to Uruguay.
Russia have scored more goals in this World Cup (8) than they had in their previous two World Cup tournaments combined (6, across 2002 and 2014).
Russia have a positive goal difference of +7 in their opening two World Cup matches in the 2018 tournament. All three of the previous host nations to have a +5 goal difference or more in their opening two games of that World Cup have gone on to win the tournament: France (+7) in 1998, Italy (+6) in 1934 and Uruguay (+5) in 1930.
Denis Cheryshev is Russia’s top scorer in the tournament with three goals - prior to their opener against Saudi Arabia, he had failed to find the net in 11 appearances for the national team.

I think he may be forced to pull himself off at half time.

1 Like

I can assure you my knees will make it as far as the cooker to knock up a Rump Steak for dinner and to the Wine Fridge for a bottle of plonk.
This is not about “winning the group” it is abut who gets the chance to get Ronaldo banned for the quarter final.
At least when WE play Belgium (2 hours later than group H) we get the chance to choose whether we play Senegal, Japan (or Colombia) as long as Glenn has taken Mystic Meg to Russia with him
Winners of this have Spain or Portugal.No prize for coming t op of a group so would probably prefer to face Iran
:sunglasses:

Now that we are 1-0 down I agree it is not about winning the group.

And there I was doing work shit after my perfectly medium rare rump steak and TOOTHY SCORES AGAIN
I may open some more plonk

Russia and their fans riding in on the crest of a wave…now in need of CPR.

So chilled about this I’ve tuned in for some CAPESHIT bingeing on Netflix.
No Sald scored in the losers game

3 - 0

https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1011275025545154560

Finally, we can test ourselves against a real football team.
Says nobody in Uruguay tonight…

Match wasn’t fixed at all…

There are fails, then there are EPIC fails.
Russian defender vs Uruguay!