Uruguay take on hosts Russia on Monday in Group A of the World Cup at the Samara Arena (18:00 kick-off).

Both teams have already booked their places in the last 16 having secured maximum points from their respective clashes against Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Still, there is plenty on the line as Russia look to continue their excellent form and ride the wave of vociferous home support while South American giants Uruguay seem to be working their way through the tournament without yet having hit top form.

Here, we assess the key talking points ahead of the match.

Plenty to play for

The only way Uruguay can top the group is by winning this one while a draw will do for Russia given their superior goal difference.

The prize at stake for topping this pool is a second round contest against the runners-up in Group B, which is likely to be either Spain or Portugal – two teams currently separated in one-two placings by disciplinary records.

With both of those nations in Group B playing later in the day on Monday, La Celeste and Russia will face an anxious wait to find out who they will come up against in the next stage. Let’s not forget, Iran are in the reckoning to advance too, though they must beat Portugal.

Facing either La Roja or Cristiano Ronaldo’s men is about as tough as it gets, and as such, you could go as far to say it doesn’t really matter who you play. A clash with Team Melli would represent an easier challenge, on paper, at least.

It will indeed be fascinating to see how these two Group A outfits approach the game with the knockouts in mind.

A nation expects: Russia fans are expected to be in good voice in Samara.

 

Build-up marred by anti-doping rumours

Russia could not have wished for a better beginning to the tournament and qualification through to round two is the furthest they’ve gone in the post-Soviet Union era (1991 onwards).

However, this has been overshadowed somewhat after a senior US anti-doping official told the Guardian that it would be “naive” not to think Russia could violate anti-doping rules during the World Cup. It follows the statistic that the Russian team have covered more kilometeres (233km) than any other side over the first two games.

For now, Stanislav Cherchesov’s men have to ignore the media and not lose any unnecessary momentum on and off the pitch. Selection-wise, they have though got some natural tweaks to attend to and could reshuffle the pack in other areas.

Left-back Yuri Zhirkov, who came off late on against Egypt with an ankle injury, will be spared from the first eleven with Fedor Kudryashov parachuted into the defence.

Alan Dzagoev’s troublesome hamstring injury will no doubt not be risked while midfield talisman, former Real Madrid man Denis Cheryshev, who has scored three goals so far, may be given a bit more of a rest.

The 27-year-old has led by example but has been withdrawn early from Russia’s first two games and it is vital they keep him fit for a bigger test to come.

Do not expect lone frontman Artem Dzyuba, who has netted twice so far, and the nation’s newest star and darling, Alexsander Golovin, to dip out of action.

A need for game management? Russia could opt to protect Denis Cheryshev.

Uruguay would like to freshen things up and may well do, but they are thin on quality and experience beyond their first XI.

They are without centre-back Jose Gimenez for this one. The loss of the Atletico Madrid star, who plies his trade at the heart of the defence alongside stalwart Diego Godin, is big, but it is hoped his thigh injury is not too serious and his unavailability is more of a precautionary measure.

Sporting Lisbon star Sebastian Coates should come in and fill the void.

Gimenez’s absence is a blow.

 

What can we expect from Luis Suarez…

The Barcelona hitman celebrated his 100th Uruguay appearance with his 52nd goal – the only goal in the win over Saudi – last time out.

The 31-year-old has now scored at three consecutive World Cup finals for his country although he has looked leggy after 180 minutes of football and struggled to influence proceedings, bar his goal poacher effort.

Just one dribble in two matches and a passing success completion of less than 70 per cent goes some way to showing his lack of impact when linking with the midfield or indeed making trademark runs.

Veteran coach Oscar Tabarez could certainly consider bringing him off in the second-half and he has instead been right to put so much faith into Uruguay’s new generation of talent.

The likes of Rodrigo Bentancur (20), Nahitan Nandez, Lucas Torreira (both 22) and Giorgian De Arrascaeta (24), among others, certainly have the staying power and youthfulness to take this team forward at the tournament.

No longer do Uruguay solely have to rely on their most famous names.

It hasn’t been easy for Suarez so far.