The two teams are tipped to finish one-two, with the South American side topping proceedings, in a quartet also containing hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Our pre-match talking points cover the important plotlines before they clash at the Ekaterinburg Arena in Yekaterinburg, but here, we take a closer look at the tactical side of the fixture.
Midfield battle will be decisive
While the star-studded front pair of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani grab all the headlines, the youthfulness and versatility of a well-oiled and cultured midfield should not be forgotten.
Oscar Tabarez’s side look settled, well-drilled and have benefitted from a long build-up at home, choosing to travel to Russia late, compared to most teams, last Friday.
Giorgian de Arrascaeta’s emergence as a chief playmaker behind the main two strikers has helped take some of the creative workload off of Suarez’s shoulders, he no longer needs to drop back and make lung-busting dribbles from deep.
Indeed, the young midfield threesome of Nahitan Nandez (22), Matias Vecino (20) and Rodrigo Bentancur (20) bring legs, energy and a fluid structure to allow the forwards to shine.
Bentancur, in particular, enjoyed a breakthrough season for Juventus and could become one of the stars of the tournament. His towering presence, as well as acute passing range, should see him gain an upper-hand against an Egyptian midfield duo of Mohamed Elneny and Tarek Hamed.
Bentancur featured largely from the bench last term but was impressive.
An opportunity for others to become heroes
Should he not feature, Mohamed Salah and his troublesome shoulder injury has given other men a chance to shine and hog the Pharaohs’ limelight.
While Ramadan Sobhi is set to take up Salah’s void from the right, 23-year-old starlet Trezeguet is the man who could do the damage for Egypt.
Operating from the left-hand side, the Anderlecht star, who has spent the past two campaigns out on loan, brings pace, trickery and movement akin to that of Salah when he reignited his career at Fiorentina.
More importantly, Trezeguet bagged 16 goals and six assists in a stunning past season on loan at Kasimpasa in Super Lig. He arrives into the tournament with confidence and Egypt need to try and get him one-on-one with Guillermo Varela.
The right full-back loves to get forward and bomb on, potentially opening up some space to exploit, splitting and dragging Atletico Madrid and international central defenders Jos Gimenez and Diego Godin out of position.
Trezeguet is a man who could shine in Salah’s absence.
Can Egypt shackle Suarez?
West Brom pair Ahmed Hegazi and Ali Gabr will need to put Premier League relegation behind them and try to limit Suarez’s influence, as well as Edinson Cavani.
Neither star particularly has the pace to significantly blow away a defender now, but failure to stay tight and close down, especially around the box, will prove to be fatal.
The Egyptian centre-back pairing will need the help of Elneny and Hamed ahead of them to act as a shield and try and pinch the odd ball.
It is easier said than done against a player who will be determined to go out on a high in what could be his last World Cup. Let’s not forget, eight years ago, Suarez famously handled the ball on the goalline to prevent a goal against Ghana and was subsequently sent-off. Then four years ago in Brazil, he was banned for biting Giorgio Chiellini.
What does the 2018 edition of the event hold in store for Suarez?
