Hosts draw weakest group in field, with Egypt — led by Mo Salah — and Uruguay the only real threats
EGYPT ODDS: 500/1 2014: Did not qualify Formation: 4-2-3-1 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Forward Mohamed Salah will grab all the attention. Winning the Premier League’s Golden Boot (32 goals) with Liverpool, Salah’s scoring form resulted in five goals in Egypt’s final six games of qualifying. Anything forward will move through him. Defender Ahmed Hegazi can be instrumental on defense on attack, especially on set pieces. OUTLOOK: Egypt isn’t the sexiest team at the World Cup. They will defend until they get a chance or two at the feet of Salah. There are still questions as to who will start up top, which could pose a problem as Egypt returns to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
RUSSIA ODDS: 35/1 2014: Group Stage FORMATION: 5-3-1-1 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Russia consists of a youthful attack that’s highlighted by 21-year-old Aleksandr Golovin (below), a rising star who shined in the Europa League for CSKA Moscow. Talented striker Fedor Smolov also makes his World Cup debut after finishing second with 14 goals in Russia’s top tier.
OUTLOOK: The hosts are the lowest-ranked team of the 32 in the World Cup. Russia’s best defensive midfielder, Igor Denisov, isn’t on the squad due to turmoil with coach Stanislav Cherchesov. However, their attack should be enough to get them out of the weakest group in the tournament.
SAUDI ARABIA ODDS: 1,000/1 2014: Did not qualify FORMATION: 4-3-3 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Forward Fahad Al-Muwallad (below) is a promising — and one of the fastest — attacking players at the World Cup. However, he travels to Russia rusty, having played just once since joining Levante on loan this year.
OUTLOOK: Since qualifying for the World Cup, Al-Akhdhar, or The Green, have shuffled through two coaches. Juan Antonio Pizzi, who failed to qualify with Chile, took over in November. He has a few friendlies under his belt, but Saudi Arabia will need a lot of luck considering they aren’t considered a threat, even in the World Cup’s worst group.
URUGUAY ODDS: 35/1 2014: Round of 16 FORMATION: 4-3-1-2 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Edinson Cavani enters his third World Cup in the best form of his career. The 31-year-old has notched consecutive 40-goal seasons with Paris Saint-Germain. It’s the perfect opportunity for Cavani to break out from the shadows of Luis Suarez. Young midfielders Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Lucas Torreira could also shine. OUTLOOK: Oscar Tabarez’s team plays classic sit-back, counterattack style. It’s an integrated system that makes them one of the most intriguing squads. A team littered with talent across numerous positions, they might have the perfect balance of veterans (Cavani, Suarez, Diego Godin) and youth ( Rodrigo Bentancur, de Arrascaeta) that make the twotime champions contenders now and in the future.