10 Best Rivalries To Look Out For At World Cup 2018

It's not known as one of the most competitive footballing rivalries, but Poland vs. Russia tends to be a very explosive fixture. Centuries of tensions and conflict between these nations can turn any stadium into a bubbling cauldron of trouble whenever the two sides meet.

Both nations are also well-known for their violent football hooligans, with more than a dozen fans seriously injured and over 180 people arrested a few years ago when Polish and Russian fans clashed violently in the streets during Euro 2012.

The Euro 2012 meeting, which ended in a 1-1 draw, was actually the only competitive fixture between the two sides. A few friendlies have been held in the past, but bad blood between the two nations has prevented any matches from being organized in recent years. A clash between the two sides is unlikely, but not impossible, and major security would be required to deal with such a fixture.