2022 FIFA World Cup
Tuesday 29th November 2022
Kick off at 7pm GMT
Venue: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
Match Preview:
England look certain to qualify for the knock out stages of the World Cup as they enter their 3rd and final group match of group B. However Wales have made it very hard on themselves and they must beat England to have any chance of appearing in the last 16.
Wales have been quite frankly disappointing at their first World Cup appearance since 1958. They opened up their campaign by drawing 1-1 against USA and that in itself took a last minute effort via the penalty spot to secure a draw. On the face of it that draw wasn’t too bad, losing to Iran in their next game was. Wales were being favoured to get a positive result over Iran given how Iran had fallen 6-2 against England but we witnessed the best of Iran in a game that they fully deserved to win and ran out 2-0 victors in the end. So what do Robert Page’s side need to do to advance? One option is knocking England out but the likelihood of having to not only beat England but win 4-0 looks remote. The other option is to beat England and hope that Iran and USA draw their game. In other words Wales need to go for the win, but it looks likely they will be exiting at the group stages. The good news for anyone watching is that this game isn’t a dead rubber and both teams will be going for the 3 points on offer.
England came back down to earth after crushing Iran 6-2 to draw 0-0 with USA in their next game. USA battled hard and played well and England in truth looked well under par and it is the overall performance that will be worrying going forward after so many positives against Iran. Of course this can be England in a nutshell looking brilliant in one match and very average in the next. Qualification looks assured though unless they were to lose 4-0 but Wales have offered nothing thus far to suggest that will happen and indeed could any world nation beat England by that score line? Okay let’s not mention Hungary! The worry that manager Gareth Southgate does have is if England qualify but finish second in their group and that could lead to a much more difficult path in the knock out stages.
Team News:
Wales: Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is suspended after his red card against Iran. Joe Allen will be assessed due to some fatigue but is expected to be fine.
England: Harry Kane is a doubt after last being seen with a bandage around his ankle. It’s possible that the forward will be rested for this game, otherwise there are no new injury concerns for the national side coming into this match.
Wales vs England Head to Head:
The nations have played each other 103 times. England has won 68 games, Wales 14 and there have been 21 draws.
The last meeting was played in 2020 in which England won 3-0.
England have won the last six meetings in a row.
Wales have not beaten England since 1984.
There is a 70% chance to see under 2.5 goals.
Wales vs England Prediction:
England haven’t officially qualified yet but so much would have to happen for them not to and we could see the manager making a few changes to his side. He could be stubborn and start with Harry Kane who looks unfit now and needs that rest or he could bring in fresh blood, someone like Callum Wilson for example. England are an exciting team and they should be able to show great levels of attacking flair not just against teams like Iran but top 10 ranked sides also. The problem is perhaps Southgate’s insistence on picking players he knows well such as Kane or Raheeem Sterling, but others like Phil Foden and Jack Grealish are not getting much game time under him. Indeed Foden who looks indispensable for the champions of England (Manchester City) didn’t even come on against USA.
History tells us that teams who have already qualified or are on the brink of it will change it up and we end up seeing quite a refreshing spectacle of what a national side looks like under a plan b and it is usually a good one. In short some quality players can get left behind in favour of the managers favourites.
Wales will be up for this game, trying to get one over on England and we should see a lot of challenges coming up and the Welsh having good chances on goal. However England are a class or a few above and if they can keep their heads they should be easing into the last 16 with victory here. A dire draw like the one witnessed against USA will not do the mood in the camp any good, and they won’t want to be finishing as runners up and make their passage more tricky than it already is.
Wales vs England Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (-1 England) at 1.70
Anytime goalscorer: Callum Wilson at 2.20
Correct Score: England to win 2-0 at 6.50
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