World Cup 2018 Tables: Updated Look and Predictions for Friday's Matches

Spain's quest to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup begins with a Group B showdown with Portugal on Friday, but the recent sacking of manager Julen Lopetegui threatens to upset their bid before it's even started.

Portugal will hope Lopetegui's dismissal and Fernando Hierro's consequent appointment as his successor will disrupt Spain's campaign in Russia as they seek to upset the odds in their effort to top the group—Spain are 1-2 to top the group, while Portugal are 37-20, per OddsShark.

Egypt and Uruguay will resume the Group A drama earlier on Friday, as both teams look to mimic group rivals Russia, who decimated Saudi Arabia 5-0 on Thursday to climb to the summit as hosts.

Friday's other Group B encounter will pit Morocco against Iran in a clash between the pool's less glamorous inhabitants, with each team knowing three points will be crucial to any hopes they have of advancing.

Friday's Fixtures/Predictions

Egypt 1-2 Uruguay, 5 p.m. local/1 p.m. BST/8 a.m. ET

Morocco 1-0 Iran, 6 p.m. local/4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET

Portugal 1-2 Spain, 9 p.m. local/7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET

Projected Standings (Goal Difference)

Group A 

1. Russia: 3 (+5)

2. Uruguay: 3 (+1)

3. Egypt: 0 (-1)

4. Saudi Arabia: 0 (-5)

Group B

1. Spain: 3 (+1)

2. Morocco: 3 (+1)

3. Portugal: 0 (-1)

4. Iran: 0 (-1)

Preview

Portugal have travelled to Russia as the champions of Europe and sit fourth in the FIFA rankings, six places above Spain. But that hasn't stopped the bookmakers backing La Furia Roja as Group B front-runners.

Even after Hierro replaced Lopetegui, who was fired on Wednesday after it was learned he had accepted the head coach role at Real Madrid, ESPN FC predicted Spain to take the victory on Friday:

Spain's strength is balanced across the squad and focused largely in their midfield, although they lack the same kind of class in the striker department. Portugal are contrasting in that sense and will be looking to Cristiano Ronaldo, 33, to ignite the tournament in what's likely to be his last shot at World Cup glory.

Although Spain failed to progress from their group at the 2014 World Cup, and even taking into account the gameweek's disruptions, their squad is arguably the deepest in the competition.

An adage insists that while attack wins games, defence wins championships, and one can expect an experienced Spain to top a lopsided Portugal in their first outing in Russia.

Like Portugal, Egypt are also relying on the form of one man in particular, Mohamed Salah, to lead them to riches. Manager Hector Cuper recently had an extremely encouraging update regarding the winger's chances of facing Uruguay, per Fox Soccer:

Much talk has been focused on the two teams' attacks, with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani leading Uruguay's line. But it's one of their defensive stars, Diego Godin, who has ensured the South American side's tactics will be the same whether or not Salah is present, per Goal's Josh Challies: 

"We have been preparing a long time ago to play the World Cup and it does not depend on a player. 

"[Salah] is a big, decisive player and we prepare ourselves in the same way whether he is [available] or not.

"We are at the maximum concentration, we prepare ourselves conscientiously considering Egypt , but we prepare in the same way."

Despite Russia's destruction of Egypt, Uruguay look to be the most talented squad in Group A and should prove their mettle. They are at their third successive World Cup, while the African underdogs are at their first since 1990.

The Group B affair between Morocco and Iran, two sides who will need a go-for-broke attitude to make the knockout stages, is much harder to call. Commentator Derek Rae thinks either could advance:

Medhi Benatia is the most accomplished defensive figure between the two teams and will have a major impact, with the midfields and attacks of both teams boasting the odd gem. Morocco middle men Hakim Ziyech and Younes Belhanda are both technically gifted, while Alireza Jahanbakhsh and striker Sardar Azmoun are among Iran's highlights.

That being said, one would expect Morocco's defensive composure to be the difference on Friday, with the two sides looking evenly matched everywhere else.