Salah Fit for Russia Clash

Salah Returns for Russia Clash

Mo Salah will start for Egypt tonight against hosts Russia as Matchday 2 kicks off in Saint Petersburg.

The Russians are in buoyant mood having won their opening fixture 5-0 against Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

Egypt on the other hand conceded in the final seconds to lose 1-0 to Uruguay in Matchday 1 but have their star man back in attack this time round.

Salah won the Premier League Golden boot with a record 32 goals, and will hope to put Egypt back in contention for a last 16 spot.

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID

Egypt manager Hector Cuper: "Salah is fit. We always carry out a last physical test before we announce our line-up and today we will have an important test for him to see how he does.

“I think he will be able to play. He is an essential piece in our team. He's a great player, a crucial player, that much is perfectly clear.

“Salah is one of the best players in the world. For me there's no shadow of a doubt there. It's an honour and a privilege to coach him.” Quotes source: ESPN

Russia chief Stanislav Cherchesov: “We are studying Egypt and we should be able to exploit their weaknesses.

“Every team has players that you need to pay special attention to. Of course, Mo Salah is the strongest in the team, but we aren’t playing against just one player.”

Egypt haven’t won since Mo Salah’s 95thminute penalty ensured Egypt’s qualification for the World Cup with a win over Congo.

Russia didn’t win any of their warm up games but having won 5-0 in the opener are favourites to win tonight.

Aleksandr Golovin is the star man in this Russian team, scoring and assisting 2 in Matchday 1, after having a fine season at CSKA Moscow.

My prediction for this match is 1-1 with Mo Salah to score first.