Tshepo’s picks

Host nation Russia will be hoping to get a headstart in the 2018 Fifa World Cup when they face off with Saudi Arabia in an intriguing opening match at the tournament to be played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow this evening.

Both nations come into the global competition as the lowest Fifa ranked nations, with the host ranked at 70, while the Saudi Arabians are on 67.

The two teams open up an interesting Group A fixtures at the competition which also includes Egypt and Uruguay.

Coming into this tie, Russia have not been in good form. In their last six games, they have only managed to register two draws while losing the rest of the matches and the Green Falcons have done slightly better than the hosts with four losses and two wins.

This is really a tough one to call, but I believe the Russians will get away with a slight win. Pool Name: S6 V3 P1 M1: Russia v Saudi Arabia. Previewed above. Tip: Russia win = 1. M2: Kauno Zalgiris v FK Trakai. Easy win for Trakai. Tip: Trakai win = 3. M3: Tromso v Valerenga. Home victory for Tromso. Tip: Tromso win = 1. M4: Stromsgodset v Ranheim. Away win for Ranheim. Tip: Ranheim = 3 M5: Halmstad v Helsingborg. Helsingborg to prevail. Tip: Helsingborg win = 3 M6: Egypt v Uruguay. A share of spoils. Tip: Draw = 2 Bet on this pool and TAB’s other football pools – go to

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