World Cup warm up: Can returning Salah bring Russia back down to earth?

There were fears Russia would implode at their own World Cup. The hosts lost a number of key players in the months leading up to this summer’s tournament and were forced to coax 38-year-old Sergey Ignashevich out of international retirement.

However, Russia are in dreamland at the moment after making a start few anticipated, thrashing Saudi Arabia 5-0 in Thursday’s curtain raiser. They currently top Group A but now have navigate through their two hardest matches to have a chance of progressing to the knockout phase for the first time since 1986.

Egypt are already on the back foot in Group A after slipping to a dramatic late defeat against Uruguay on Thursday and the pressure will really be on Hector Cuper’s side on Tuesday evening. Mohamed Salah wasn’t deemed fit enough against the South Americans and didn’t even come off the bench, but he will return to the starting XI here.

Salah will be keen to make up for lost time and help kickstart Egypt’s World Cup campaign. The 26-year-old scored 44 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool last season, establishing himself as one of the best players in the world.

Team news and odds in our match preview

Aleksandr Golovin was the star man for Russia last time out, securing a WhoScored rating of 9.80 after scoring one and providing two assists in the 5-0 thumping of Saudi Arabia. Russia have lost Alan Dzagoev to injury and there will be even more pressure on Golovin’s shoulders in their last two group games.

Another positive result for Russia would be a huge step in the right direction in their quest to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition, but it’s difficult to foresee Russia’s defence keeping Salah at bay for 90 minutes.

Writer Predictions:

Martin Laurence: Russia 1-2 Egypt

Ben McAleer: Russia 1-1 Egypt

Josh Wright: Russia 1-1 Egypt