World Cup group A: Russia vs. Egypt team news, kick-off time and TV channel

Mohamed Salah returns for Egypt’s must-win
match against the hosts

One-Minute Read

A late defeat against Uruguay broke Egyptian hearts in their
opening match, but Pharaohs fans will be boosted by the news that
star striker Mohamed Salah is set to start against Russia in St
Petersburg.

Salah sat out the Uruguay clash as he was recovering from
a shoulder injury. The Egyptian Football Association
told the BBC: “He was fit to play against Uruguay but the coach
did not want to take the risk.”

The hosts opened their World Cup campaign with a thumping 5-0
win against Saudi Arabia. Despite the superb start and potential
qualification to the knockout stages, goalkeeper and captain
Igor Akinfeev is not getting
over-excited. He said: “We only think of every next step. We
don’t think what can be next. If we did, we could fall on the next
barrier. We don’t think ahead and don’t want to do it.” 

Team news

While Salah will be fit for Egypt, Russia striker Alan
Dzagoev has been ruled out of the group stages after injuring a
hamstring against Saudi Arabia. All 22 other Russian players
trained ahead of the Egypt clash.

Russia vs. Egypt predicted starting
XIs

How the two teams could line up in St Petersburg, according to
Fifa.com: 

• Russia (4-3-2-1): Igor Akinfeev; Mario Fernandes, Ilya Kutepov,
  Sergei Ignashevich, Yuri Zhirkov; Roman Zobnin, Yury Gazinsky,
  Daler Kuziaev; Aleksandr Golovin, Denis Cheryshev; Fedor
  Smolov 
• Egypt (4-4-2): Mohammed El Shenawy; Ali Gabr, Ahmed Hegazy,
  Ahmed Fathi, Mohammed Abdelshafy; Tarek Hamed, Mohammed El Neny,
  Mahmoud Trezeguet, Abdullah Al Said; Mohamed Salah, Marwan
  Mohsen

Group A results and fixtures

• Russia 5 Saudi Arabia 0 
• Egypt 0 Uruguay 1 
• 19 June: Russia vs. Egypt (7pm, BBC) 
• 20 June: Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia (4pm, BBC) 
• 25 June: Uruguay vs. Russia (3pm, ITV); Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt
  (3pm, ITV4)