The sixth day of the World Cup gets underway on Friday, as the second group stage games in Groups A and B take centre stage. The late game will be an interesting battle between England and the United States, but which nations could take a step towards qualification to the next round?
Wales vs Iran
- Wales: 23/20
- Draw: 22/10
- Iran: 28/10
The early game in the World Cup on Friday will see Wales take on Iran. Both nations are still looking for their first victory at the competition this year, but the Welsh likely come into the fixture in better confidence. Robert Page’s side battled well in the second half of their opening fixture against the United States, with Gareth Bale scoring a late equalising goal.
Iran were humbled in their opening fixture, as they were hammered 6-2 by England. However, Mehdi Taremi’s performance was a standout for the nation. The Porto striker scored twice in that fixture, as he showed how lethal he could be in front of goal. However, Wales are the pick, as they were strong in the second half of their opening game, and they have an excellent record against side from Asia.
Pick: Wales at 23/20 with BetXchange.
Qatar vs Senegal
- Qatar: 5/1
- Draw: 28/10
- Senegal: 13/20
Two sides that tasted defeat in their opening fixtures in Group A will face the prospect of elimination on Friday. A defeat for either side will likely see them depart the competition, which would be hugely embarrassing for host nation Qatar. Qatar were well beaten in their opening fixture, as they lost 2-0 against Ecuador.
Senegal’s preparations for the World Cup were impacted following the news that Sadio Mane would be absent. Their chances at the competition also weren’t helped as they were beaten in their opening fixture by the Netherlands. Senegal looked weak in the final third in that fixture, but we struggle to see anything other than a win for the African nation in this fixture.
Pick: Senegal at 13/20 with BetXchange.
Netherlands vs Ecuador
- Netherlands: 8/10
- Draw: 27/10
- Ecuador: 36/10
The Netherlands and Ecuador both picked up victories in their opening fixture of Group A. Louis van Gaal’s side have been muted as potential dark horses for World Cup glory this year, but they will still have to improve based on their performance in their 2-0 win against Senegal. The Dutch were in fine form in the final third to take the win, while Cody Gakpo scoring the opening goal, before Davy Klaassen ensured the success.
Ecuador have put themselves into an excellent position to come out of Group A at the World Cup, as they were professional winners on the opening day against Qatar. Enner Valencia rolled back the years in that fixture, as he scored a fine brace. However, they will likely need at least one more win to ensure their passage. But, we expect the Dutch to shade this fixture.
Pick: Netherlands at 8/10 with BetXchange.
England vs USA
- England: 6/10
- Draw: 32/10
- USA: 9/2
There were few more impressive nations in the opening round of fixtures than England, as the Three Lions recorded one of their biggest ever World Cup wins against Iran. Bukayo Saka started the tournament in excellent form, as the Arsenal winger scored twice. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham looks like he offers this Three Lions side something that they didn’t have when they finished EURO 2020 as the runners-up.
The USA would have been very disappointed that they couldn’t see out a 1-0 scoreline against Wales in their previous fixture. That could yet come back to haunt them. The U.S. are unbeaten in two previous fixtures at the World Cup against England, but we could see that streak coming to an end on Friday, as we could see the Three Lions comfortably recording a second straight win.
