With less than a week to go until kick-off at World Cup 2022, it’s time we dig in deep and analyze all 16 fixtures taking place on Matchday 1. I’ve come up with my 3 favorite bets, one of which includes the USMNT and have combined them in a tasty parlay, which you can find below.
Let’s dive in!
USA ML vs Wales (+160)
Over 2.5 Goals in England vs Iran (+126)
Croatia ML vs Morocco (+110)
Parlay odds: +1075
** Odds provided by FanDuel **
Starting off our parlay I have the United State beating Wales in the group stage opener. Entering the World Cup, Wales find themselves in really bad form having lost their last 3 games against the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland. This team is without a win since June when they beat Ukraine 1-0, plus their defense has been very unreliable keeping a clean sheet just once over their last 11 matches. Although the United States are coming off a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia, they still possess enough quality to get a result here. During the Gold Cup last year, 5 of their 6 wins were by the score of 1-0. They also conceded just 10 goals in 14 games played qualifying for the World Cup. This team is strong on the counter and doesn’t concede a lot of goals. If they can limit Gareth Bale, the Welsh don’t have anyone else nearly as good to cause them problems here.
Expectations are high for England entering this tournament after they finished as runners-up at EURO 2020. During that tournament they kept 5 clean sheets and against a goal happy Iran team I am expecting a goal fest. The Iranians have conceded 2 goals per game in 2 of their last 3 games away from home. They’ve also scored at least one goal in 4 of their last 5 games, which tells me they aren’t against playing an attacking style, regardless of who the opponent is. England is coming off a 3-3 draw against Germany in what was their last real test ahead of the World Cup. They have one of the most talented trios up front in Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka. Over their last 3 games the Three Lions have conceded 8 goals. I think both teams have enough firepower for us to see at least 3 goals in this game.
Following Croatia’s 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, optimism is high in the camp of the 2018 World Cup runners-up. For the 2nd consecutive tournament they open against a team from Africa, in 2018 they won the group opener against Nigeria 2-0. With the likes of Canada and Belgium also in the group, it’s pretty clear that Croatia has to get the 3 points against Morocco if they want to top the group. This team has won their last 5 games with wins over Denmark (twice), France and Austria. They are unbeaten since March and have lost only 1 game since EURO 2020. Morocco has also been in solid form, but most of their wins came against lesser teams such as Liberia, South Africa and Congo DR. It won’t be an easy game for the Croats, but when you have Luka Modrić on your team you have to be considered clear favorites against teams like Morocco.
