Dugout Discussion

Defence proves popular in Russia v Saudia Arabia

World Cup Fantasy managers have a first chance to see their players in action as Russia take on Saudi Arabia in the opening fixture.

The showdown takes place in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, the venue which will host next month’s final.

Despite both sides combining for just five clean sheets in 22 matches, defensive assets have proved the most popular for the encounter.

Goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf (£4.0m) comes into the opener with five percent ownership on McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy, more than any other in the match.

Meanwhile, Russian counterpart Igor Akinfeev (£5.0m) and Mohamed Alburayk (£4.0m) both have a three percent share of worldwide managers.

Alexandr Samedov (£7.5m) is the most likely to do well this afternoon, having been involved in 11 goals in the nation’s last 20 matches. Despite that, Samedov has between zero and one percent ownership.

STARTING LINE-UPS

4-2-3-1: Akinfeev; Fernandes, Kutepov, Ignashevich, Zhirkov; Gazinskiy, Zobnin, Golovin, Dzagoev, Samedov; Smolov.

4-5-1: Al-Maiouf; Alburayk, Os.Hawsawi, Om.Hawsawi, Al-Shahrani; Otayf, Al-Dawsari, Al-Faraj, Al-Jassam, Al-Shehri, Al-Sahlawi

970 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Zalgirinis1944
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Golovin's assists are very calculated, but i still think that it's going to be Russia's only win in this WC. Maybe they can score against Egypt, and picking Golovin for that assist possibility could be tempting, but Uruguay will stomp them.

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Of course
      Both these teams are below average

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      this was the game to get the pts and he did

      1. Zalgirinis1944
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, i thought that leader in assists for Russia will be Dzagoev, but unlucky for him and his owners, he got injured

  2. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    aldroughtsari

    aldoubtsari

    1. Fantastisk
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Al Stopifiwereyou

      1. Shels
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        O'stop

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Pretty sure you're basing this on the wrong vowel sound(s)

  3. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    when can we loook at our rival's teams?

    1. Alex_thekid
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I've just tried but can't see them maybe after the match

  4. Taking the Mkhitaryan
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone who bought a Saudi player just so they had someone in the first game, well played

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Captained him like a boss too. 😀

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I salute you

      2. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Same. And it was worth it. There will be plenty of 2's on everyones teams this week.

        1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          99.9% sure it wasn't worth it

          1. Red Dagger ✪
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            .1% for a laff it was.

            1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              I salute you too then

              1. Red Dagger ✪
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 10 months ago

                Thank you. Tears of pain imminent

    2. Patch
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      You are hardly picking 15 superstars, bound to have lame players to make the 3 spots that ultimately don't contribute anyway...

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Well you are a right laugh

      2. Fantastisk
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I picked 15 superstars.

  5. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    WC imminent

  6. Taking the Mkhitaryan
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Saudi player prevents a Saudi goal

  7. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Ignasevich looking very good, doesn't look too.much past it.

  8. Saurabh.gupta
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    I have zobin in my team and I captained him too. Should I just stick or switch it to cavani??

    1. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      switch unless more pts

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Easy choice to Switch, one goal is worth more

      1. Saurabh.gupta
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        OK, thanks guys

  9. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Golovin and Gazinsky running the most so far in the game

  10. Carfo
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    When is score calculated ( i mean when i can check peoples squads?)

  11. Taking the Mkhitaryan
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    The ref has done well to last the 90. He must be 65 at least

  12. Shels
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    When golovin passes at half way and the recipient shoots..... Ohhh

  13. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone got any links to pictures of female Russian fans?

    Always fascinated by the local traditions and customs of what they wear etc....

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Back in 5mins....

  14. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Aldawsari(C) 4pts. Keep or switch?

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Bank it

  15. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Golovin you beauty !

  16. St. Joseph
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Mohammed Al-"Salah"wi they said....

  17. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    great, so russia score 3 goals and my two players (Samedov & Smolov) get nothing !!

    Just as well it is the telegraph game and I can use 26 transfers from rounds 1 - 3 as they are gone tomorrow, waste of 2 transfers really though...

  18. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Still enough time for Al- Dawsari to get a red card...

    1. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Didn't he go off? I can't keep up with all the Al's.

  19. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    "Al-Siri, how do we get from 3 goals down with 6 minutes to play"

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      "I'm sorry I didn't understand the question"

  20. 420king
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Gazinsky close to 2nd

  21. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Most got Al Dawsari for the Uruguay game anyway, right?

  22. Lewa
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    After watching the game I feel really bad for switching Cavani off last minute...

  23. 420king
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Golovin YC

  24. Alan The Llama
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Gololvin

  25. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Golovin YC

    Time to switch!

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Losing bps

  26. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Golovin YC

  27. Taking the Mkhitaryan
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Golovin yellow

  28. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Is no.22 the true Russian Bear?

  29. Shels
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Fk u ref

  30. Paul
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Okay now i can switch 😀