All About the Egypt Team at Football World Cup 2018
Egypt booked their ticket as one of Africa’s representatives at the 2018 FIFA World Cup to be held in Russia in June thanks to an additional time spot-kick from a star player, Mohamed Salah. That goal saw them edge out Congo 2-1 for the revered World Cup spot. The North Africans’ qualification means that they get to appear at the World Cup for the first time in 28 years and have been placed in Group A alongside Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and host nation, Russia.
Tips for Betting on Egypt in the World Cup 2018
Egyptian players managed to score at least a goal in six of their last seven World Cup qualification matches. As such, counting on them to score against weaker or moderate opposition such as Saudi Arabia and Russia would be a good bet. While they’re a good side going forward, Egyptian players tend to leave spaces at the back, leaving them vulnerable on the counter-attack. Betting on seasoned goal scorers from good teams to score against Egypt is a worthwhile bet. For instance, against Uruguay, one can stake on Luis Suarez or Edinson Cavani to net against the Pharaohs. As pertains outrights, the safest thing would be to stake low as Egypt’s chances of winning the tournament are slim. Also, the squad’s defensive players are the most likely to pick up bookings and one can place a smart bet on that.
Betting Odds on Egypt to Win the World Cup
According to bookmakers, Egypt are 500/1 to win the World Cup competition, bearing in mind the existence of superior teams and the fact that they’ve never progressed beyond the group stage at this competition before. Also, Egypt is ranked 30th in the world, according to FIFA’s latest international rankings. This means it would take a lot of effort for the Pharaohs to lift the trophy, hence the 500/1 projection.
Expected Egypt Lineup at the World Cup
The national team line-up is not expected to change much from the team that beat Congo in the final qualifier match. The goalkeeper is expected to be Essam El Hadary, with Ahmed Fathi, Ahmed Hegazy, Rami Rabia and Mohamed Abdel-Shafi on defensive duty. The midfield shall be anchored by Mohamed Elneny and Tarek Hamed, with Mohamed Salah and Ramadan Sobhi expected to use their vision and pace to deliver from the flanks. In the playmaker role is Abdallah El-Said, who shall act as the link between the midfield and the forward line. Key forward, Ahmed Hassan Koka shall be tasked with leading the line for the North African giants. Other key players that are expected to be available for squad selections off the bench are Mohamed Elmohamady, Trezeguet, Saleh Gomaa and Amr Gamal.
National team coach – Hector Cuper – is expected to model his game around influential playmaker, Abdallah El-Said, if he shall be fit and available for selection. The attacking ace thrives in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where he can roam freely behind the striker as he looks to supply that defence-splitting final ball. El Said’s versatility and ability to drop to deeper or wider roles allows the coach tactical flexibility during the game, should he wish to do so. For instance, when the team is ahead and looking to cushion the defence, El-Said is likely to be assigned to a deeper role to facilitate a 4-4-2 formation that facilitates better defending.
Egypt boasts a host of stars that shall be expected to spearhead their campaign in Russia. The most important players within their ranks are highlighted below:
-
Mohamed Salah
Currently plying his trade for the English side, Liverpool F.C., Mo Salah is the Egyptian National Team’s most potent threat going forward. This diminutive, tactically gifted forward currently sits amongst the top goal-scorers in the English first division charts and is also the reigning African Player of the Year.
-
Mohamed Elneny
Currently playing for English giants Arsenal, Mo Elneny is a midfield maestro capable of dictating the tempo of the game. He is dangerous going forward and possesses a powerful shot. Defensively, he is no slouch either, capable of dishing out timely, robust tackles to intercept opponents’ momentum and reverse the flow of the game in favour of his team.
-
Abdallah El Said
Box-to-box midfielder that can cause problems to opposition backlines both aerially and tactically.
BEST WORLD CUP BOOKMAKERS
