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Opening game at 16:00 BST
Day 1: Opening Ceremony and Russia vs Saudi Arabia (Kick-off: 16h00 BST)
- Thread starter K2K
- Start date
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
Opening game at 16:00 BST
Predictions? I think the hosts will edge this one out in a scrappy 2-1 victory.
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Any chance for the Saudis? At least for a draw 
Times like this it's good to work nights. Go home soon and go sleep. Wake up and it's time for some world cup action.
Even though the Saudis don't inspire much confidence, the Russians aren't much better. It's actually possible that this match will end up in a draw (1-1 or 2-2).Any chance for the Saudis? At least for a draw
Don't they usually draw on the opening game? I am putting my bet down at 2-2.
Let the game begin.
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If the Russians can't even win this, they can forget about making it out of the group. They have been handed the kindest and best possible draw with their opening game against the worst team in the World Cup. I am going for a Russia win 1-0 or 2-0.
Unless i've missed some spectacular developments in Saudi Arabian football (which tbh is more than possible) Russia should win this comfortably.
2:0 sounds good.
2:0 sounds good.
Ye. Can't see this any other than Russian win. It'll be a small margin I'd think 2-0 max.
You'd fancy Russia, but could the occasion get to them and the Saudi's scrap out a 0-0 or a 0-1? Quite possibly!
More importantly, will they have snipers on the roof for Robbie's performance?
More importantly, will they have snipers on the roof for Robbie's performance?
How good is Smolov exactly? Does anyone know?
Fantastic game to start with 
One of the Russian journos was saying on the Totally Football Podcast how completely shite Russia's team is this year. Could be a poor match.
Two shit teams sometimes results in lots of errors. I hope so. 2-2 with a couple of penalties.
Can’t wait. Any recommendations on where to get a wall chart today?
Who has more money to bribe the referees?
Lowest-ranked team vs second-lowest!Fantastic game to start with
Panama?
Russia 70th, Saudi Arabia 67th, Panama 55th. Panama are ranked above both S. Korea and Japan (!)
https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/index.html
Finally
What a difference with 4 years ago when Brazil - Croatia was the opener. Still, will watch it anyway and I fancy the Saudis to get something from this game.
What a difference with 4 years ago when Brazil - Croatia was the opener. Still, will watch it anyway and I fancy the Saudis to get something from this game.
This game has 0-0 written all over it.
1-0 Russia for me.
Close scrappy game, not going to be the best but the host will just get it.
Looking forward to it all getting started
Close scrappy game, not going to be the best but the host will just get it.
Looking forward to it all getting started
Any ideas on the probable starting lineups?
3-2 Russia.
2-0 Russia. Golovin x2
Russia playing in Russia in the opening game of the World Cup? 5-0
Such an uninspiring opener.
A lot of punters are going hard on Saudi Arabia and the betting lines have moved up significantly for Russia and dropped massively for Saudi Arabia. This usually means there could be an upset and the Saudis could get a result. But still think the Russians would win it. It would be disastrous if they don't. Can't see them not winning.
I'm actually kinda even looking forward to this match tbh, World Cup fever has well and truly taken me over. Going for a 1-1 draw.
Fantastic game to start with
Yea I think I'll give this one a missSuch an uninspiring opener.
Radio Times has one but it's a bit busy, with TV schedules on there. We've got one in the office that a colleague got from Match of the Day magazine which is much better imo but I'm not sure if that's still available.
1-1. Its the world cup who cares who's playing
Battle of the bribes Will end 1-0 I think. Can't wait for some World Cup action.
Will end 1-0 I think. Can't wait for some World Cup action.You know you won't!Yea I think I'll give this one a miss
This. One of the best bits is watching countries you rarely see play. I can't remember seeing Saudi Arabia in a tournament since Japan/Korea 2002? (Unless they were at 06 and I've forgotten about them?)1-1. Its the world cup who cares who's playing
Hoping that the opening ceremony is as bonkers as possible too.
They were in Gemany 2006, but I cant remember them either.
I will watch it even if i dont care about these two teams. Hope Russia dont lose, just for the atmosphere to not drop massively
Finally
Hoping for a crazy opening ceremony and a Russia win, it's their easiest game and as hosts it would be important to at least start on a good note
Hoping for a crazy opening ceremony and a Russia win, it's their easiest game and as hosts it would be important to at least start on a good note
Can't wait.