Match Previews
World Cup 2018
Round Group A
Uruguay
Last updated: Wed 20 June 2018 06:40Uruguay unconvincing in opening match. Tweaks could be made to the side. No injury issues.
Uruguay might have won their opening World Cup match by recording a 1-0 victory over Japan in their opening game, but their display was one that could quite easily be criticised. Indeed, they were lucky Jose Gimenez popped up with a late winner.
They have made a habit of being solid but somewhat unspectacular in recent times. Indeed, in the four matches they have played in 2018, they have picked up four victories and have not conceded a single goal.
Given that they played only Uzbekistan in terms of warm-up fixtures – Oscar Washington Tabarez, the coach, is fearful his players could be burned out after a long season – they will hope that their play will become more automatic in the days ahead.
Uruguay post no new injury issues after the win over Egypt, but such was the uncertain nature of their performance, there could well be changes made in the squad.
Luis Suarez was well below his usual level in attack, but the forward is the team’s star man and should retain his place without too many issues. Edinson Cavani will start alongside him but could be given more responsibility for free kicks after he hit the post with an effort against Japan.
Diego Laxalt and Guillermo Varela could be used as full-backs in a 4-3-1-2 system, with Lucas Torreira potentially coming into the middle three. This is not an option certain to be used, though.
Uruguay’s victory over Egypt means that they have won their opening match of a World Cup for the first time in 48 years.
Saudi Arabia
Last updated: Wed 20 June 2018 08:46Saudi Arabia do not have any suspensions for their second match. Saudi Arabia do not have any injuries for their second match.
Saudi Arabia came into this tournament with a run of three consecutive defeats (2-1 loss to Italy, 3-0 loss to Peru and 2-1 loss to Germany) and they added another in their opening game as they were thrashed 5-0 by Russia. They looked especially troubled in defence.
Perhaps the opening day performance makes sense when considering that Saudi Arabia have had quite a troubled build-up to this World Cup, as they sacked two managers since qualifying. They hired Juan Antonio Pizzi as recently as November, so hadn't had all that much time to work on his methods.
Saudi Arabia do not have any players suspended for their second match of the tournament.
Saudi Arabia do not have any players out injured for their second match of the tournament.
Central midfielder Mohamed Kanno, who had been suffering from a minor hand injury, should now be fully fit and could feature, although he'd be unlikely to start.
Given the 5-0 loss to Russia, changes could be made to the line-up, especially in defence. Centre-back Motaz Hawsawi played well in qualifying, but was on the bench against Russia and could be an option to replace one of the other Hawsawis.
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4-4-2 Previous Line Ups
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| F. Muslera | |||
| G. Varela | |||
| J. M. Gimenez | |||
| D Godin | |||
| M. Caceres | |||
| C. Sanchez | |||
| M. Vecino | |||
| R. Bentancur | |||
| C. Rodriguez | |||
| L. Suarez | |||
| E. Cavani |
4-2-3-1 Previous Line Ups
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Al Maiouf | |||
| M. Al-Burayk | |||
| Osama. Hawsawi | |||
| Omar. Hawsawi | |||
| Y. Al-Shahrani | |||
| A. Otayf | |||
| T. Al-Jassim | |||
| Y. Al-Shehri | |||
| S. Al-Faraj | |||
| S. Al-Dawsari | |||
| M. Al-Sahlawi |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| M. Campana | |||
| M. Silva | |||
| G. Silva | |||
| S. Coates | |||
| M. Pereira | |||
| N. Nandez | |||
| G. De Arrascaeta | |||
| L. Torreira | |||
| D. Laxalt | |||
| C. Stuani | |||
| M. G. Gomez | |||
| J. Urretaviscaya |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| F. Muslera | |||
| G. Varela | |||
| J. M. Gimenez | |||
| D Godin | |||
| M. Caceres | |||
| C. Sanchez | |||
| M. Vecino | |||
| R. Bentancur | |||
| C. Rodriguez | |||
| L. Suarez | |||
| E. Cavani |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| M. Campana | |||
| M. Silva | |||
| G. Silva | |||
| S. Coates | |||
| M. Pereira | |||
| N. Nandez | |||
| G. De Arrascaeta | |||
| L. Torreira | |||
| D. Laxalt | |||
| C. Stuani | |||
| M. G. Gomez | |||
| J. Urretaviscaya |
Saudi Arabia
Last updated: Wed 20 June 2018 08:46Saudi Arabia do not have any suspensions for their second match. Saudi Arabia do not have any injuries for their second match.
Saudi Arabia came into this tournament with a run of three consecutive defeats (2-1 loss to Italy, 3-0 loss to Peru and 2-1 loss to Germany) and they added another in their opening game as they were thrashed 5-0 by Russia. They looked especially troubled in defence.
Perhaps the opening day performance makes sense when considering that Saudi Arabia have had quite a troubled build-up to this World Cup, as they sacked two managers since qualifying. They hired Juan Antonio Pizzi as recently as November, so hadn't had all that much time to work on his methods.
Saudi Arabia do not have any players suspended for their second match of the tournament.
Saudi Arabia do not have any players out injured for their second match of the tournament.
Central midfielder Mohamed Kanno, who had been suffering from a minor hand injury, should now be fully fit and could feature, although he'd be unlikely to start.
Given the 5-0 loss to Russia, changes could be made to the line-up, especially in defence. Centre-back Motaz Hawsawi played well in qualifying, but was on the bench against Russia and could be an option to replace one of the other Hawsawis.
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| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Al Maiouf | |||
| M. Al-Burayk | |||
| Osama. Hawsawi | |||
| Omar. Hawsawi | |||
| Y. Al-Shahrani | |||
| A. Otayf | |||
| T. Al-Jassim | |||
| Y. Al-Shehri | |||
| S. Al-Faraj | |||
| S. Al-Dawsari | |||
| M. Al-Sahlawi |