World Cup 2022 USA vs Wales Tips and Predictions

USA and Wales begin their Group B campaign with a late kick off in Al Rayyan. Both of these teams will realistically fancy their chances of progression, although they may have to usurp England for top spot.

Wales needed a play-off victory to secure their place at this tournament. It’s their first appearance at the World Cup since 1958, although they have qualified for each of the last two European Championship and managed to progress to the final four in 2016. Rob Page will be relying on Gareth Bale to sprinkle some star quality with the former Spurs and Real Madrid currently plying his trade in the US with Los Angeles FC.

The USA have far more World Cup experience than their hosts and despite not qualifying for Russia 2018, they have been present at six of the last seven tournaments. The USMNT have managed to progress to the knock-out rounds in four of their last six appearances and will be quietly confident of defying their pre-tournament odds.

10Bet have made the USA favourites for this tie at 6/4, however, Wales are fairly accomplished at overcoming underdog status. Rob Page’s side can be backed at a generous 2/1 with Bwin and having avoided defeat in each of their opening group matches at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020, they are not to be underestimated.

• Wales and USA have only previous met in non-competitive action. They faced one another in an international friendly in 2020 with the match ending goalless.
• USA – USA finished third in the CONCACAF qualifying for this tournament and ended the campaign with a limp 2-0 defeat to Costa Rice. They failed to score in any of their final three away games.
• Wales – Wales secured a crucial victory over Ukraine to clinch their place at this tournament with Gareth Bale scoring the decisive strike. They ended their qualification campaign strongly, going unbeaten in their each of their final eight matches. This run included holding high-flying Belgium to a 1-1 draw.

Wales have become increasingly hard to beat under Rob Page and although they are heavily reliant on their talisman Gareth Bale, they are unlikely to easily carved apart by the USA.

WALES 0 ASIAN HANDICAP

The USA didn’t particularly travel well during their qualification campaign. They secured just a single victory on the road (in Honduras) and failed to score against Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica and Panama. They may struggle to find the back of the net in this opener.

UNDER 2.5 GOALS

Although it has occasionally been used as a stick to beat them with, Wales are very reliant on Gareth Bale. However, he clearly loves representing his country and is always a threat. He could make the difference in this potentially cagey match.

GARETH BALE – ANYTIME GOALSCORER

USA

Prior to 2018, the USA were virtual ever-presents at this tournaments and they have a decent record of qualifying for the round of 16. Gregg Berhalter has a talented squad and he will quietly fancy his side’s chances of making it out of Group B. However, they do need to show that they can be effective outside of the USA having produced some insipid performances on the road throughout the qualifying period.

Key Players: Christian Pulisic

Team News: Gregg Berhalter hasn’t been able to name Miles Robinson or Chris Richards in his squad due to long-term injuries. However, Josh Sargent and Sergino Dest have shaken off niggles and are ready to face Wales in the opener. Luca de la Torre has been named in the squad, however, he’s only just returned from an injury and may not be risked in this opener.

Predicted Lineups: Ethan Horvath, Antonee Robinson, Walker Zimmerman, Cameron Cater-Vickers, DeAndre Yedlin, Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah, Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Haji Wright.

Wales

Wales will be keen to show that they deserve their place at this tournament and having come through the qualifiers to ensure their participation, Rob Page’s side will be quick out of the blocks. They proved incredibly tough to beat during Euro 2016 and although they weren’t as effective four years later, they were slightly troubled by the unfavourable travel arrangements.

Key Players: Gareth Bale

Team News: Both Tom Lawrence and Rhys Norrington-Davies miss out on the squad due to recent injuries. However, Joe Allen is named in the squad despite only recently recovering from an ongoing issue. He is unlikely to start this opener. Gareth Bale is building up his fitness ahead of this opener and even if the LAFC man is only 60% fit, he is still a guaranteed starter.

Predicted Lineups: Wayne Hennessey, Joe Rodon, Ben Davies, Ethan Ampadu, Chris Mepham, Connor Roberts, Joe Morrell, Harry Wilson, Dan James, Brennan Johnson, Gareth Bale.

There isn’t much between these two sides and it could be a tight 90 minutes. Wales have plenty of determination and they have an extra smattering of quality in the final third. They have recent tournament experience and having avoided defeat in each of their two opening appearances at the European Championships, I would expect a similar approach here.

Bet on Wales 0 Asian Handicap