Uruguay v Russia - Preview and possible line-ups

What is at stake: Both teams have already qualified for the Round of 16 so Monday's encounter is a battle for top spot. Thanks to a superior goal difference, Russia could settle for a draw and still end up winners so expect Uruguay to go for the win.

Uruguay: Jose Gimenz will not be available for selection after sustaining a thigh problem earlier in the week, Sebastian Coates is tipped to take his place.

Russia: The hosts will be without midfielder Alan Dzagoev as he continues his recovery from injury but expect Artem Dzyuba to lead the attack after impressing against Egypt.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez on his possible team selection:

"I will certainly not give you any hints when it comes to the team itself," he said. "I will not reveal anything here and I've already said tomorrow's match is important to us.

"Someone said there could be eight possible changes but I'll not go into that at all. We'll go forward, we don't show up just like that.

"We want to play seven matches in a month and we're prepared for that and after every match we know that regeneration and rest is necessary but fatigue is not a topic in our team right now and going forward."

Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov​​ on Alan Dzagoev's recovery: 

"It is clear we were not happy having lost such a creative player as Alan but naturally when we're getting ready for a tournament we have to think about all the options," the head coach told a media conference.

"Injuries happen, yesterday he trained on the pitch, we'll not risk him, we'll observe him and not force him, each man is doing his business.

"We're not taking him with us on purpose, so his preparation will be done in full swing. We didn't take him to St Petersburg and we've not brought him to Samara."

Did you know?

Uruguay’s only victory against Russia/Soviet Union came at the 1970 World Cup where 'La Celeste' beat the Soviet Union 1-0 in extra-time.

Including the defeat against Uruguay in 1970 Russia/Soviet Union have lost the last four matches against South American competition at the World Cup.

Prediction: 1-2

Possible lineups:

Uruguay: Muslera; Varela, Coates, Godin, Caceres; Nandez, Vecino, Bentancur, Rodriguez; Suarez, Cavani.

Russia: Akinfeev; Zhirkov, Ignashevich, Kutepov, Mário Fernandes; Gazinskiy, Zobnin; Golovin, Cheryshev, Samedov; Dzyuba