The bets have already been placed. Brazil, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Belgium are the teams that will eventually give us the winner in this year’s World Cup to be played in Russia. At least that’s what the pundits and bookmakers have to say.

One team that will not be fazed by the fierce competition, but will have loads of expectations and hopes riding on them will be the hosts, Russia. They are playing at home, and one thing that won’t be missing during their games, is the support. They will play in front of their own fans and in jam-packed stadiums. It would surely be an added motivation.

No one is expecting them to go beyond the round of 16, but they would know, predictions mean anything if they can get their act together and play good football. It will be tough, though. They are pitted in Group A alongside two-time winners Uruguay, Mohammad Salah’s Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

Russia would fancy their chances, though. With Mo Salah doubtful, Uruguay’s tendency to not show up in games and Saudi Arabia not as strong, the hosts will be confident of making it past the group stages and then, look ahead to the knockout phase with optimism. Also, they would be boasted by history — South Korea made it to the semi-finals as the hosts in 2002. No one gave South Korea a chance, but against all odds, they had a terrific run and were narrowly ousted by Germany, losing 0-1. That should mean something.

23-man final squad:

Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Vladimir Gabulov (Brugge), Andrei Lunyov (Zenit St. Petersburg).

Defenders: Mario Fernandes (CSKA Moscow), Vladimir Granat (Rubin Kazan), Sergei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), Fyodor Kudryashov (Rubin Kazan), Ilya Kutepov (Spartak Moscow), Andrei Semyonov (Akhmat Grozny), Igor Smolnikov (Zenit St. Petersburg).

Midfielders: Denis Cheryshev (Villarreal), Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow), Yuri Gazinsky (FC Krasnodar), Alexander Golovin (CSKA Moscow), Daler Kuzyaev (Zenit St. Petersburg), Anton Miranchuk (Lokomotiv Moscow), Alexander Samedov (Spartak Moscow), Alexander Yerokhin (Zenit St. Petersburg), Yuri Zhirkov (Zenit St. Petersburg), Roman Zobnin (Spartak Moscow).

Forwards: Artyom Dzyuba (Arsenal Tula), Alexei Miranchuk (Lokomotiv Moscow), Fyodor Smolov (FC Krasnodar).

Who’s the star?

Russia doesn’t boast of any world-class names, but they have their own fair share of players who can turn the game on it’s head.

Denis Cheryshev, Villarreal

The former Real Madrid man didn’t realise his full potential in his time with the Los Blancos. He has since joined fellow La Liga side Villareal, but hasn’t set the stage on fire. The winger, 27, has talent and potential though, and there can’t be a better place than the World Cup to finally show what he is capable of. If he comes good at the tournament, he might well have his name all but written in the Russian folklore.

Alexander Golovin, CSKA Moscow

The Kaltan native is a player who has put top European clubs including Manchester United on alert after his fine displays for the Russian club. He is a midfielder with an exemplary passing range, and can cut the defences into half with his inch-perfect through balls. The hosts will be hoping he can bring his club form to the World Cup and give them the cutting edge in the midfield. He is only 22, but his reading of the game suggests otherwise.

Fyodor Smolov, FC Krasnodar

The 28 year old striker has been prolific in front of the goal for Russian outfit F.C Krasnodar. He has found the net on 52 occasions(73 appearances) in last three seasons in the Russian League, a record any striker would be proud of. He will lead the line for Russian at the World Cup, and they would be banking on him for goals. For hosts to do well, he will have to play out of his skin and prove to be the difference. He might be their ultimate weapon. Watch this space!

Match schedule:

Thursday, June 14: Russia v Saudi Arabia

Tuesday, June 19: Russia v Egypt

Monday June 25: Uruguay v Russia

Prediction:

Scrape through a tight group and go out in the round of 16. Enough to save face.