Russia vs New Zealand: 2017 Confederations Cup Live Stream, Schedule, Prediction
Russia host New Zealand in the 2017 Confederations Cup at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on Saturday.
The tournament offers the Russians the chance to prepare for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals on home soil as they welcome the OFC Nations Cup holders in Group A.
The All Whites have little chance of progressing from a pool that also includes Portugal and Mexico, and this game in Saint Petersburg represents their best chance of collecting points.
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Here is how you can catch all of the action:
Date: Saturday, June 17
Time: 4 p.m. (BST)/ 11 a.m. ET
TV: ITV1 (UK only), Fox Sports 1 (U.S. only)
Stream: ITV Hub, Fox Sports, fubo.tv
The full schedule for the tournament is available on FIFA's official website.
Preview and Prediction
The All Whites find themselves among football royalty in Russia as they take on the hosts in Saint Petersburg.
The match is a true David and Goliath affair with the New Zealanders hoping to cause a shock as they cross the planet to participate.
New Zealand Football shared images of their adventure in the nation which will hold the next World Cup:
Victory for the travelling party would constitute their first-ever win in the competition, but Russia will be favourites to prevail.
Both sides will face difficult tasks against Mexico and Portugal in their other group games, making three points essential from this encounter.
All Whites coach Anthony Hudson spoke about the task in hand after recent losses to Northern Ireland and Belarus, per FIFA.com.
He said: "We go into this tournament wanting to do something significant, which is do something New Zealand has never done, and that is win a game at the tournament."
Striker Chris Wood also commented on the match against the Russians, per FIFA.
"It is going to be a really special occasion," he said. "This is what we do all of the hard work for. This is why we play all of the hard games in the Islands. We want to be here competing in these big competitions. The boys are raring to go and will be up for it."
Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov is expected to employ a back three, with experienced goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev between the sticks, according to WhoScored.com.
Yuri Gazinsky could be selected in midfield due to notable absentees after the end of the season in Europe, with Aleksandr Bukharov and Dmitry Poloz options in the attacking third.
The hosts are in good form ahead of their opener, having lost just once in their last five after gaining draws against Belgium and Chile.
Hudson's men have a problem putting the ball in the net despite Wood's prolific campaign for Leeds United in the Championship.
New Zealand's lack of firepower is likely to come back to haunt them against credible opposition at the Confederations Cup, and it will be difficult for them to make an impression in Group A.
An early goal for the hosts could open the floodgates, and the All Whites will be hoping to avoid embarrassment.
Prediction: Russia win 3-0
