World Cup preview: Uruguay v Russia, Saudia Arabia v Egypt, Iran v Portugal, Spain v Morocco

Monday signals the start of the final round of group games at this World Cup, with the knockout stages starting to take shape.

• 1500 BST Uruguay v Russia (ITV) (Group A)
• 1500 BST Saudi Arabia v Egypt (ITV4) (Group A)
• 1900 BST Iran v Portugal (BBC) (Group B)
• 1900 BST Spain v Morocco (BBC) (Group B)

Uruguay and Russia will battle it out for the top spot in Group A, with the home team carrying significant momentum into their fixture in Samara.

Russia have been one of the surprise packages this tournament after starting with the lowest FIFA ranking of any competing nation but emerging comfortably victorious from their opening two fixtures. Villarreal winger Denis Cheryshev has been a revelation and will be key for the hosts, as will striker and man-mountain Artem Dzyuba.

Uruguay find themselves level on points with Russia having trudged to two unimpressive and at times laboured 1-0 victories. The South American side’s attacking duo of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez looked terrifying before the competition began but the two have failed to find form and cooperate with each other effectively.

Neither Saudi Arabia nor Egypt can qualify after two losses apiece, so are only playing for pride.

On Monday evening Iran take on Portugal in Group B, with the Persians having an opportunity to cause a major upset by qualifying for the next round at Fernando Santos’ side’s expense.

If Iran manage to beat Portugal, they could top their group and qualify for the round of 16 for the first time in their history. History is against them, however, as the Iranians have never won against European opponents at a World Cup and will, of course, have to deal with the threat of an in-form Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal’s captain has been nothing short of exceptional at the tournament thus far and will be looking to reclaim the top scorer title following Harry Kane’s heroics for England.

Elsewhere in the Portugal squad, influential Monaco midfielder Joao Moutinho, who has won over 100 caps for his country, is likely to miss out on the starting line-up due to illness.

Spain meanwhile, face-off against Morocco who are already out of the tournament after their defeat at the hands of Portugal last week.

Midfielder Koke, who was in the starting line-up for Spain’s opening draw against Portugal, seems likely to be recalled in place of Lucas Vazquez after he struggled against Iran.

Fernando Hierro’s side may not have things their own way against a Morocco team who have impressed with free-flowing football despite their early exit.

"Our focus is to finish stronger against Spain. That is what is on our minds now. We have qualified for the World Cup for the first time after 20 years and we have shown that we can play football." said Morocco head coach Herve Renard.