FIFA World Cup Group B: Matchday 2 Friday Bonanza

FIFA World Cup 2022: Group B

Group B Match Day 1 Recap (Click Here for Austen’s Day 1 Predictions)

England vs Iran: England started off their world Cup strong with a 6-2 thrashing of defensive minded Iran. Iran’s plan was to play back and go for the goaless draw in order to sneak a point. It took 35 minutes, but England’s skill proved too good and they easily carved apart the Iranian defense. Once England ruined Iran’s plan, Iran looked lost, and the goals for England just continued to come. 

United States vs Wales: The United States and Wales battled hard for an entire 90-minutes, but in the end drew 1-1. It was a tale of two halves as the United States dominated possession in the first half and finally got their goal in the 36th minute by Tim Weah. Wales manager then made a halftime change by bringing on Kieffer Moore who was exactly what Wales needed. In the second half Wales pressed higher, controlled possession, and eventually equalized with an 82nd minute penalty. 

LIVE TABLE: GROUP B

Wales (0W-1D-0L) vs Iran (0W-0D-1L)

Date: Friday, 11/25/2022 at 05:00 AM EST

Pitch: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar

Coverage: FS1

Moneyline: | WAL: +115 | TIE: +200 | IRN: +280 |

Spread: | WAL: -1 (+350) | IRN: +1 (-150) |

Total: 2.5 | Over: (+152) | Under: (-186) |

Current Form: 

Betting Tips 

• FIFA World Rankings: Wales (19th) / Iran (20th)
• Odds to win 2022 FIFA World Cup: Wales (+30000) / Iran (+50000)
• Odds to Qualify from Group B: Wales (+120) / Iran (+550)
• Odds for BTTS-No are (-133) and (-125) for Wales to be the team to get the opening goal

The Word 

I seriously believe that both teams will come into this game confident that they can win. Wales looked shaky offensively in the first half of their match against the United States. The United States dominated possession, but the Wales defensive pressure maintained consistent throughout the match and only allowed one goal. Wales then flipped the script in the second half, having numerous runs on goal and eventually finding the equalizer through a Gareth Bale penalty.

Although Iran were thrashed and overall looked pretty bad against England, they still managed to net 2 goals against a stout England team. Ghoddos of Brentford, Jahanbakhsh of Feyenoord, and Taremi of Porto, who scored both goals against England, are all great players for the Iranian side and do pose a threat to any defense. If Iran can maintain their plan of a strong defense and keep themselves in the game then there is always that chance that Iran can snag a result here.

I do think Wales have that extra quality and experience from players that have proven themselves agaisnt some of Europe’s elite teams, while Iran has not had many opportunities to test themselves agaisnst top-class international sides. However, it’s do or die for Iran and a loss sees them out of this tournament. The odds for Under 2.5 goals are too strong, but the odds for Both Teams to Score are pretty much a wash. Wales will score first, but in a huge leap of faith here, I think Iran equalize and end this thing in a draw.

PREDICTION: WALES  1 – 1 IRAN 

England (1W-0D-0L) vs United States (0W-1D-0L)

Date: Friday, 11/25/2022 at 2:00 PM EST

Pitch: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar

Coverage: FOX

Moneyline: | ENG: -185 | TIE: +310 | USA: +500 |

Spread: | ENG: -1 (+160) | USA: +1 (+145) |

Total: 2.5 | Over: (-102) | Under: (-120) |

Betting Tips

• FIFA World Rankings: England (5th) / United States (16th)
• Odds to win 2022 FIFA World Cup: England (+750) / United States (+20000)
• Odds to Qualify from Group B: England (-5000) / United States (+125)
• The United States has a 2W-1D-8L record against England in head to head matches, but are undefeated in their 2 World Cup matches with 1 win and 1 draw. 
• The United States have never been knocked out of the group stage when winning or drawing first World Cup match. 

The Word

England are the heavy favorites not only to win this game but to win the group. They started off strong offensively by netting 6 goals against Iran. There appears to be little chance of an upset in this game, though, I do believe that the United States will prove to be a tougher test for England compared to Iran. When England were tested at the back, Iran did manage to score twice so that could be a concern for England when they face a higher-quality side like the United States. 

The United States showed signs of excellency in the first half against Wales. They maintained possession and controlled the flow of the game, but they struggled to finish inside the box despite having numerous chances to put the game away against Wales. 

England will not have as much space as they were allowed against Iran but England have scored at least 2 goals in four of their last five meetings against the United States and I think that England will snag a couple goals on Friday. With how well the United States played in the first half against Wales and the fact that England conceded 2 goals against an inferior Iranian side, I can see the United States getting a goal as well. However, it won’t be enough. 

PREDICTION: ENGLAND 2 – 1 UNITED STATES