With nearly every side having played once at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Nov. 25 sees the second rotation through the groups begin.
The first set of matches in Group A saw Qatar fall 2-0 to Ecuador and the Netherlands overpower Senegal by the same scoreline. In Group B, England thumped Iran 6-2 and Wales nabbed a late goal from the penalty spot to draw 1-1 with the USA.
Here are the match day odds courtesy of bet365:
 | Match Odds |
|---|---|
| Wales vs. Iran | Wales (+110), Draw (+220), Iran (+300) |
| Qatar vs. Senegal | Qatar (+500), Draw (+275), Senegal (-163) |
| Netherlands vs. Ecuador | Netherlands (-125), Draw (+260), Ecuador (+375) |
| England vs. USA | England (-175), Draw (+320), USA (+450) |
Wales vs. Iran betting preview
| Match Odds |
|---|---|
| Wales vs. Iran | Wales (+110), Draw (+220), Iran (+300) |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 (+137), Under 2.5 (-175) |
| Correct Score – Wales 2, Iran 1 | (+1100) |
Wales wins if: It plays like it did in the second half and not like the first against the USA.
The Welsh side was dramatically outplayed in the opening 45 minutes, but the introduction of Kieffer Moore provided a focal point for attack. Coach Rob Page will have learned from that.
Iran wins if: It can shake off that heavy defeat and come to play from the start.
Lost in the scoreline was that Iran was able to create two goals on the day and nearly got a third when Sardar Azmoun rattled the bar. Between him and Mehdi Taremi the Iranians have some threats. If they can tighten up the defence, they could find some joy.
Mismatch to watch: Gareth Bale.
He may not have the explosive dynamism that made him a star, but the Welsh captain is a big-game player. He was largely silent against the USA, but when the game was on the line, he found a way to make a difference.
Prop to watch: Bet Boost Correct Score – Wales 2, Iran 1 +1100.
With a point from the first match, Wales will be looking to shore up its chances to advance by taking all three points this time around. The second half performance gives it something to build on and Iran looked very vulnerable.
Other props to consider: With both teams eager to get off to a fast start, an early corner could be on the cards: Corner First Minute (00:00 – 00:59) Yes +1600, No -4000. Both Teams to Score, as they did in their respective openers, is offered at: Yes +105, No -143.
Qatar vs. Senegal betting preview
| Match Odds |
|---|---|
| Qatar vs. Senegal | Qatar (+500), Draw (+275), Senegal (-163) |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 (+130), Under 2.5 (-163) |
| Both Teams To Receive 2+ Cards | Yes (+162) |
Qatar wins if: It can show up.
The loss to Ecuador was such an embarrassment that the fans seemed to leave in droves ahead of the second half, prompting some to wonder if it was the worst performance ever by a host nation.
Qatar will be eager to make amends in its second outing.
Senegal wins if: It can get started early.
Senegal went toe-to-toe with the Dutch in its first game, but was unable to craft a breakthrough. With Qatar wounded, applying pressure early and a quick goal could seal the result.
Mismatch to watch: Spirit.
Both teams will be very disappointed with their respective first match results. Both came into the competition with high hopes and suffered blows: For Senegal, losing Sadio Mane before a ball was kicked; for Qatar a lacklustre showing in its home World Cup debut.
How a team responds to such adversity is very important in a tournament setting.
Prop to watch: Both Teams to Receive 2+ Cards – Yes +162, No -225
Qatar was booked four times in its first outing, Senegal twice. With hopes of advancing on the line, both teams will be scratching and clawing for any advantage.
Other props to consider: A couple of Bet Boosts worthy of attention.
A Same Game Parlay of Match Result Senegal, Boulaye Dia to Score Anytime, Over 2 Goals (+550) and a Correct Score of Senegal 2-1 (+1100). Senegal’s Dia (First Scorer +450, Last Scorer +450, Anytime Goal +200) and Qatar’s Almoez Ali (First Scorer +1100, Last Scorer +1100, Anytime Goal +450) are all worth a look.
Netherlands vs. Ecuador betting preview
| Match Odds |
|---|---|
| Netherlands vs. Ecuador | Netherlands (-125), Draw (+260), Ecuador (+375) |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 (+100), Under 2.5 (-125) |
| Half-Time/Full-Time – Ecuador – Netherlands | (+2200) |
Netherlands wins if: It can pick up where it left off.
After a bit of a slow start, Netherlands found a breakthrough in the 84th minute in its first match against Senegal. Louis van Gaal’s side will be hoping that warm-up translates into hitting stride earlier against Ecuador.
Ecuador wins if: Enner Valencia continues to be red-hot.
The striker scored both goals in the opening match against Qatar and saw another ruled offside. He was virtually unstoppable and a hot goalscorer goes a long way.
Mismatch to watch: Not so much a mismatch as a midfield battle between Ecuador’s Moises Caicedo and the Netherlands’ Frenkie de Jong.
Both were excellent in their openers and whichever comes out on top on the day could propel their side to victory.
Prop to watch: Half-Time/Full-Time – Ecuador – Netherlands +2200
Ecuador came out of the gate like a shot in the opening match, putting the ball in the back of the net inside the opening few minutes – it was ruled offside – and then getting on the board in the 16th and 31st minutes to take a commanding lead. However, Ecuador seemed to take its foot off the gas after that. The Netherlands, on the other hand built, into its game before a late breakthrough led to adding a second goal in stoppage-time.
That clash of rhythms, a high-impact team versus a slow-builder, will be interesting to watch.
Other props to consider: A couple of Bet Boost Same Game Parlays catch the eye, depending on which team one expects to get the upper hand: Match result Netherlands, Cody Gakpo to Score Anytime, and over 2 goals (+700) and Match result Ecuador, Enner Valencia to Score Anytime, Both Teams to Score in the Match Yes (+2200).
England vs. USA betting preview
| Match Odds |
|---|---|
| England vs. USA | England (-175), Draw (+320), USA (+450) |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 (-125), Under 2.5 (+100) |
| Team Cards – USA Over 2.5 | (+150) |
England wins if: It plays with the same energy and freedom that saw it dismantle Iran.
Gareth Southgate is often maligned for stifling the natural impetus of his side to be daring in attack, that was most definitely not the case in the first match. Does an extra few days together, and a more solid opponent, change that? Or, can England continue to push forward and replicate the six-goal outburst it had in its opener?
USA wins if: It starts the same, but finishes better.
Through the opening 45 minutes against Wales the USA was dominant, stroking passes around the field, barely giving the opponent a moment’s joy, and taking the lead. A tactical shift and some tired legs saw a drastically different side in the second half.
Which team will we see against a higher quality opponent in England?
Mismatch to watch: English attack versus American defence.
England was rampant against Iran, scoring early, often, and seemingly at will with five different goalscorers. The USA was solid against Wales before conceding a penalty kick on a rash challenge in one of the few moments of pressure.
England will be a more difficult test for the USA, but a number of the U.S. players play in English leagues and will be familiar with England’s style of play.
Prop to watch: Team Cards – USA Over 2.5 +150
Tim Ream, Kelyn Acosta, Sergino Dest, and Weston McKennie all saw yellow cards in the USA’s opening match. Those four will be eager to avoid a second booking, but with a fierce contest anticipated, there will most definitely be some players cautioned.
Other props to consider: The two sides combined for 13 corner kicks in their opening matches (England 8, USA 5). The line is set at 9 corners for their match (Over +137, Exactly +650, Under -120) and this one could see some desperate defending at times (12-14 corners +500, Over 14 +1400).
