During the World Cup’s Group Stage, the field of 32 teams is divided into eight groups. These eight groups, labeled alphabetically A-H, conduct individual round-robin tournaments between the four teams. The top two teams from each group advance to the Knockout Stage.
What are World Cup Groups
The groups are formed based on a number of variables including geographical criteria and random draws.
The four teams in each group are assigned a seeding. There are predetermined No. 1 seeds, which include the host country, but the remaining 2-4 seeds are placed into hierarchy by using the FIFA World Rankings and recent World Cup performances.
Each team in every group plays the other three teams once so that there is a total of six matches played in each group. Within the group tournament, teams are awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a loss.
The top two point-getters from the group advance to the Knockout State of the World Cup. In the event of a tie, there are multiple tiebreakers in place to determine which teams move on to the next round.
2018 FIFA World Cup Group A Odds
The 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place in Russia from June 14, 2018, through July 15, 2018, so here on GetMoreSports you can check out our betting tips and predictions for all four national soccer teams from Group A – Russia, Uruguay, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Round of 16, so we’ll take a closer look at the Group A of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia to see who’s a favorite, and who’s an underdog in this competition.
Group A Schedule
| Date | HOME | AWAY | 1 | X | 2 | O/U 2.5 Goals |
| 6/14/2018 | Russia | Saudi Arabia | -350 | +375 | +1200 | +115/-150 |
| 6/15/2018 | Egypt | Uruguay | +500 | +240 | -150 | +120/-154 |
| 6/19/2018 | Russia | Egypt | -106 | +220 | +320 | +120/-154 |
| 6/20/2018 | Uruguay | Saudi Arabia | -350 | +400 | +1000 | -118/-106 |
| 6/25/2018 | Uruguay | Russia | +140 | +220 | +200 | +120/-154 |
| 6/25/2018 | Saudi Arabia | Egypt | +400 | +250 | -138 | +120/-154 |
FIFA World Cup Group A Odds Predictions
Egypt vs. Uruguay Betting Preview and Free Pick
Russia vs. Saudi Arabia Betting Preview and Free Pick
FIFA World Cup Group A Team Previews and Players to Watch
RUSSIA
For the first time in the history, the FIFA World Cup will take place in Russia, and the bookies expect to see the hosts at least in the Round of 16, while they’ve set the market on Sbornaya to reach the Quarter-Finals at +150. After the split of the USSR, Russia has never reached the second round at the FIFA World Cup in three involvements, including the previous tournament in Brazil four years ago when Sbornaya recorded two stalemates and one defeat with a 2:3 goal difference in the competition with Belgium, Algeria, and South Korea.
Sbornaya is a physically strong team, but their talent among the squad is quite limited, so they prefer to play directly in a 3-5-2 or a 5-4-1 system, looking to attack on the counter when it’s possible. A lack of creativity is a big issue, while their defensive work should be crucial for eventual success, as Russia’s players have manifested plenty of weaknesses at the back in the recent friendly matches. The bookmakers don’t expect to see a bunch of goals on their games, but the bettors should keep track of their form.
Head Coach: Stanislav Cherchesov
Players to Watch: Alan Dzagoev, Aleksei Miranchuk, Aleksandr Golovin
World Cup Odds: +4000
Group A Odds: +125
Group Qualification Yes/No: -300/+225
URUGUAY
The Sky Blue is the biggest favorite in the Group A due to a sheer quality among the squad, and the bookies are pretty sure we’ll see Uruguay in the second round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, whilst the market on them to reach the Semi-Finals is set at +400. This will be Uruguay’s 13th partaking at the FIFA World Cup tournament, third in a row, and the two-time champions from 1930 and 1950 will certainly try to surpass the achievement from Brazil four years ago when they lost 2-0 to Colombia in the Round of 16.
Uruguay has one of the best frontlines in the world at the moment, as Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani are both top-class strikers who can score literally at will, so the bettors should expect to see some goals in their matches, particularly when the Sky Blue meets Saudi Arabia on June 20th, 2018. Besides this tremendous attacking duo, Uruguay possesses a very strong defensive line with some quite experienced players, while the lack of a quality playmaker in the midfield is probably their biggest drawback.
Head Coach: Oscar Tabarez
Players to Watch: Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Diego Godin
World Cup Odds: +3300
Group A Odds: +100
Group Qualification Yes/No: -500/+333
EGYPT
The Pharaohs have made it to the FIFA World Cup final tournament for the third time in their history, failing to qualify for the second round on the previous two occasions without recording a single win, so they are surely determined to at least earn their first ever World Cup victory, and Egypt will have a great chance to do it so when faces Saudi Arabia on June 25th, 2018, in their final game of the group phase. The bookies set the Pharaohs as clear -138 favorites to win this match, while the price on them to reach the Quarter-Finals is set at +900.
FIFA World Cup: Heroes Between the Sticks – From Ricardo Zamora to Keylor Navas
Egypt is a hardworking team who mostly sit back and defend the own net, but the Pharaohs are quite dangerous through quick counter-attacks. They are physically inferior relative to Russia or Uruguay, and Egypt will probably try to resist with a highly disciplined teamwork. However, the Pharaohs possess one of the world’s best goalscorers in their squad, so the bettors should pay attention to the winger Mohamed Salah who looks unstoppable this season, while the market on Salah to win the Golden Boot is at +4000.
Head Coach: Hector Cuper
Players to Watch: Mohamed Salah, Mohamed Elneny, Ahmed Hegazi
World Cup Odds: +15000
Group A Odds:+550
Group Qualification Yes/No: +150/-200
SAUDI ARABIA
The Green Falcons are back on the biggest stage after missing the last two FIFA World Cup tournaments in Brazil and South Africa, and their best achievement in the previous four involvements was reaching the Round of 16 in the United States of America 1994. It was their first World Cup ever, and the Green Falcons recorded a couple of wins and losses with a 5:6 goal difference, losing to Sweden 3-1 in the second round. However, Saudi Arabia is the biggest out-of-towner at 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and it would be a massive surprise if the Green Falcons manage to qualify from the group stage.
Saudi Arabia is a defensive-minded team who mostly prefer to play in a 4-5-1 system, trying to get their chances through a direct style of passing game, and always looking to put the pressure on the ball. However, they are physically a pretty weak team, and they often have troubles with defending after set pieces, while aerial duels are an issue, too. The bettors who like betting on the totals should definitely look after these guys when they meet Uruguay, as they will surely have a lot of problems to deal with Suarez and Cavani, while the market on the Over 3 Goals on this one is set at +150.
Head Coach: Juan Antonio Pizzi
Players to Watch: Taisir Al-Jassim, Fahad Al-Muwallad, Osama Hawsawi
World Cup Odds: +100000
Group A Odds: +3300
Group Qualification Yes/No: +700/-1200
