2022 FIFA World Cup
Monday 21st November 2022
Kick off at 1pm GMT
Venue: Khalifa International Stadium
Match Preview:
The World Cup has arrived and for those of us so used to having a World Cup in the summer this still feels at odds with what football represents. One cannot deny that Qatar’s human rights record and influencing during the votes to give them the World Cup hangs over the tournament like a black cloud. But here we are and the feeling among football fans will be that once the tournament kicks off and we get into the swing of football’s most glorious cup we will all be very much glued to the screen.
Gareth Southgate’s England will kick off their Group B game against Iran and the Three Lions will absolutely be the huge odds on favourites to make easy work of Iran. Anything other than a solid and comfortable win will be criticised and that is not to be disrespectful to the Iran national side but in terms of quality on the pitch light years separates the players. Still Iran are here as one of the best 32 nations and they will certainly try and raise their game.
As for England their last two major competitions have been thoroughly brilliant with a semi-final place in the 2018 World Cup held in Russia and a runner’s up finish at Euro 2020 which of course was played in 2021. In light of that you would expect a nation behind manager Southgate and the feeling that the national side are taking advance steps forward, however England’s form coming into Qatar 2022 has not been the best. It’s been seven games since England last won which came against Ivory Coast in a friendly back in March. Since then there has been quite frankly disappointing results highlighted by a 4-0 home loss against Hungary. It’s not been all bad with two draws against Germany and indeed their last game finished 3-3 against the Germans after being 2-0 down with just twenty minutes left to play. England have certainly not tasted victory lately but that should be set to end in this game.
Iran are coached by veteran Carlos Queiroz who is best known in England for being Manchester United’s assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson in the mid to late 2000s. Queiroz has only just returned to coach Iran for a second spell after his first one ended in 2019 after 8 years in charge. His first stint yielded a 60% win rate and so far in this one he has overseen 4 games with two wins, one draw and one loss. Iran had gone their last 3 games unbeaten but this week lost 2-0 in a friendly against Tunisia. In a friendly last month Iran surprised Uruguay with a 1-0 win.
Team News:
England: Kyle Walker is set to miss out with fitness issues after his recent groin injury. James Maddison will be assessed after a slight knee problem but is expected to be fine. Kalvin Phillips will also be assessed due to fitness issues as he is yet to play this season because of his shoulder injury.
Iran: Sardar Azmoun is a doubt with fitness issues as he hasn’t yet played this season but been selected. Mehdi Tarem had a scare in training but is being tipped to be fine for this game.
England vs Iran Head to Head:
The two nations have never played one another before.
England vs Iran Prediction:
We can safely say this will be a game dominated by possession from England who will huff and puff at Iran’s back four. It is key for England that they can score early and just settle some World Cup nerves, make no mistake all of the pressure and onus is on England here. England will have quality on the bench too that can come off and try and make the difference and we expect England to have many chances the worry will be Iran’s set up. In Queiroz they have a manager that has seen it all and while Iran should have chances of their own and try and counter they will be more than happy to earn a point here and come away with a draw, it would feel like a victory that is for sure. They will defend in numbers and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them start with 5 at the back
England are around 1.30 to win this game so we will look into different markets. Harry Kane who was the top goalscorer in the last World Cup will be looking to get off the mark quick and could be worth backing. With the nations never meeting before there are no patterns to be drawn but we expect to see a professional game plan from England that should get them past Iran however the final score may well be closer than many think.
England vs Iran Betting Tips:
Anytime goalscorer: Harry Kane at 1.91
Half Time Correct Score: 0-0 or 1-0 to England 2.50 and 3.00
Correct Score: England to win 1-0 or 2-0 at 4.00 and 5.00
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