As far as World Cup opening matches go, Russia playing Saudi Arabia might not sound particularly exciting but it is set to be an intriguing showdown.
Drawn in one of the easiest World Cup groups in history alongside the Saudis, Egypt and Uruguay - Russia have been dealt a kind hand on home soil and will need to make the most of it early on.
Russia are the lowest ranked nation heading into the tournament with Saudi Arabia just a few places higher and looming as ideal opposition to sneak a result against.
The Green Eagles enter the World Cup on the back of three straight defeats after scheduling difficult friendlies against Italy, Peru and Germany.
While they did qualify directly for Russia, Saudi Arabia have had to start from scratch in some respects after parting ways with coach Bert van Marwijk, who guided them to the World Cup.
New man Juan Antonio Pizzi did win the 2016 Copa America with Chile but faces a real challenge to get a national team, with an average age of 29, playing the high-pressure football he is known for.
Saudi Arabia are set for their first World Cup since 2006 and can only do better than their previous attempts, having finished bottom of their group in their past three appearances.
Russia's coach Stanislav Cherchesov also faces a difficult test on home soil with the national team on a seven-game winless run and without star striker Alexander Kokorin, who was ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.
The Russians are yet to reach the knockout stages of a World Cup since the USSR split and if they fail to do so again, they'll become just the second host nation in history to miss out on the round of 16.
With Uruguay strong favourites to top Group A, this opening match could be a decisive one in the battle for second with Egypt no certainty to perform with star player Mohammed Salah carrying a shoulder injury into the tournament.
So though not the most glamorous fixture, this World Cup opener is more than just two minnows doing battle with the distinct chance of securing progression to the knockout stages if one of them are able to grab all the three points.
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