Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Russia
Match Time & Date:
07/09/2021
02:45 PM
Prediction: 3-0
Malta
Russia play host to Malta at their Otkrytiye Arena in what is yet another must-win game for the hosts. The Russians aim to retain top position in the standings, and they are likely to leave their hearts on the field in Tuesday’s qualifier. Even though Artem Dzyuba has been left out of the squad, we believe that home win should be considered as Valerij Karpin’s troops are a real force to be reckoned with at home.
Rifat Zhemaletdinov, who scored as a substitute in a 2-0 win at Cyprus, is widely expected to return to the starting XI. Malta, on the other hand, failed to make life difficult for Ilicic-less Slovenia, and we do not believe that they are capable of spoiling Russia’s party in Moscow. When the two teams met in Ta’Qali earlier in the process Russia recorded a routine 3-1 win over Malta.
Highlighted Player (Denis Cheryshev):
Probably the most famous Russian footballer never to have played for a domestic club, Denis Cheryshev was born in Nizhny Novgorod, but began his career at Sporting Gijon as his father played for the Spanish side at the time.
The talented winger eventually caught the eye of Real Madrid and went on to spend eight years in the youth academy at Santiago Bernabeu before he was given a chance to impress on senior level. Due to a fierce competition for places in Madrid, Cheryshev was forced to gain much needed first team experience via loan spells at Sevilla, Villarreal and Valencia, and he showed a great deal of potential during those stints, proving los Blancos were wrong to let him leave.
Chersyhev has been in and out of the Russia national team since making his debut in 2012, but there is a good chance he will become an important member of Sbornaya Komanda as soon as he secures regular playing time at club level. The Russian footballer is capable of operating on either wing or through the middle, and he has proved to be quite prolific in terms of both goals and assists.
Highlighted Team (Malta):
Back in 1957 Malta played their first international match. The Falcons faced Austria in their debut on the international stage and they suffered a 3-2 loss to Das Team in front of home fans in Gzira. The Malta Football Association joined FIFA in 1959, while joining UEFA the following year and they have been competing in the qualifiers for the major tournaments since 1962.
The Knights of Malta have yet to participate at the finals of the showpiece tournaments, but they often claim major scalps in the qualifying matches. Malta recorded their biggest win (7-1) against Liechtenstein on March 26, 2008, but a win over Hungary in the Euro 2008 qualifiers is considered their biggest achievement.
Speaking of friendly games, it has to be noted that Malta did remarkably well to beat star-studded Ukraine in Graz on June 6, 2017, with Zach Muscat scoring the winner for the minnows. In December 1983 the Maltese suffered their heaviest loss as they were crushed by Spain 12-1 in Seville.
Man City
Tottenham
Celta Vigo 
Barcelona 
Southampton
Liverpool
Ipswich
Manchester United
Napoli
AS Roma
Leganes
Real Madrid
