World Cup 2018, Saudi Arabia vs Egypt: What time is kick-off today, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?

Strikers Mo Salah of Egypt (left) and Mohammad Al-Sahlawi of Saudi Arabia - Strikers Mo Salah of Egypt (left) and Mohammad Al-Sahlawi of Saudi Arabia will be looking for goals to spare their team bottom place in the group
Strikers Mo Salah of Egypt (left) and Mohammad Al-Sahlawi of Saudi Arabia will be looking for goals to spare their team bottom place in the group Credit: Getty Images

What is it?

Saudi Arabia and Egypt were the first teams to have their World Cup 2018 elimination fate confirmed, so this tie will prove a matter of pride. 

When is it?

Monday, June 25

What time is kick-off?

3pm BST

What TV channel is it on?

ITV 1.

Alternatively, you can follow all the action here with Telegraph Sport.

Where is the game being played?

Volgograd Arena, Volgograd

What is the team news?

When it comes to Egypt, the headlines have been dominated by their leading man, Mo Salah. A record-breaking goal-scoring season with Liverpool could not hide the fact that Salah's shoulder injury picked up in the Champions League Final had definitely taken its toll.

He looked far from his best in the team's 3-1 defeat to Russia, despite slotting in a penalty, and he'll want to give the Egypt fans something to smile about even as they leave the tournament. 

Several important players are in doubt for Saudi Arabia, including three of their starting defenders who may be left out of the team through injury: Ali Al-Bulaihi, Omar Hawsawi and Mansoor Al-Harbi. 

What's the latest news on the two teams?

Chechnyan photo opportunities with Egypt's magic man continued this week as he was given honorary citizenship to the republic by its controversial ruler, Ramzan Kadyrov.

The Egypt camp insist their star is fit for their final match, and if their veteran goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary gets game-time he will become the oldest player to play at a World Cup at 45 years and 161 days old.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia have had a quieter few days of preparation after their plane dramatically caught fire ahead of their second game against Uruguay.

What are the latest group standings - and what is at stake?

Neither team can progress to the last 16, so this is a dead rubber tie.

What are the odds?

  • Egypt to win 5/6
  • Saudi Arabia to win 17/5
  • Draw 12/5

What's our prediction?

Both teams have a lot on the line - if not qualification to the knock-out rounds. Egypt will be looking for their first ever World Cup win, with 2018 only the third time they've featured. Saudi Arabia also have a lot to prove however, as a win will ensure they do not finish bottom in their group for the fourth time.

If Salah brings his magic touch though there will be little the Saudi Arabian team can do. 

Prediction: Saudi Arabia 0-1 Egypt