The second day of action at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will feature three matches: A pair of Group B openers and the second match from Group A, with the hosts Qatar and Ecuador kicking off the competition as the only fixture the previous day.
For every team, these opening matches are so important: A victory sets the tone, a defeat ratchets up the pressure. That said, the order of the games in the group stage matters as well. For some teams, the first game may be their toughest on paper and any result is manageable. For others, anything less than three points will be a disappointment.
Here are the match day odds for all three games courtesy of bet365:
 | Match Odds |
|---|---|
| England vs. Iran | England (-334), Draw (+400), Iran (+1100) |
| Senegal vs. Netherlands | Senegal (+600), Draw (+300), Netherlands (-188) |
| USA vs. Wales | USA (+140), Draw (+200), Wales (+225) |
England vs. Iran betting preview
| Match Odds |
|---|---|
| England vs. Iran | England (-334), Draw (+400), Iran (+1100) |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 (+120), Under 2.5 (-150) |
| Harry Kane (ENG) To Score 2+ Goals | Yes (+700) |
England wins if: It can translate its league form into immediate dividends.
With this being the first World Cup held mid-European season, Gareth Southgate’s side enters the tournament match fit and game sharp. Unless adjusting to the Middle East heat is a factor, England should breeze through this match. This should be an easy opener.
Iran wins if: It can quell the England pressure and find a way to hurt its opponent in between.
Carlos Quieroz’s side cannot match the sheer star power of its opponents, but what the country lacks in offensive quality can be made up by a whole of team effort. Look for Iran to make the game difficult by waiting for opportunities to strike when England commits forward.
Mismatch to watch: England’s attackers play week in, week out, at some of the biggest clubs in the world, regularly competing in the UEFA Champions League, the highest expression of the modern game. Iran’s defenders play in second-tier leagues – Turkey, Greece, Croatia, Qatar, and its domestic league – that gulf in class could be massive on the day.
Prop to watch: Bet Boost Harry Kane to Score 2+ Goals +700.
The England captain is one of the tournament favourites to score the most goals and could get off to a flying start against Iran. There is also a Bet Boost Same Game Parlay for Kane to score, England to win, and over two goals to be scored (+300).
Other props to consider:
Kane to Score First (+275), Last (+275), or Anytime (+120) and Harry Maguire to be the 1st Player Booked (+1400) – the defender has struggled with his club, but may be in line to feature for England. The most likely Iranians to find the net are Mehdi Taremi and Sardar Azmoun (Anytime: +750).
If England hits its stride a Half-Time/Full-Time split of England/England comes in at +105.
The Match Shots on Target is set at 8.5 (Over: +100, Under: -138), while in First Set Piece odds (00:00 – 04:59), given the quick start England is likely to seek, also looks interesting (Goal Kick +650, Corner +1000).
Senegal vs. Netherlands betting preview
| Match Odds |
|---|---|
| Senegal vs. Netherlands | Senegal (+600), Draw (+300), Netherlands (-188) |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 (+110), Under 2.5 (-138) |
| Correct Score: Netherlands 3, Senegal 1 | (+2000) |
Senegal wins if: It can overcome the devastating loss of Sadio Mane, who was forced to pull out of the squad to recover from a ruptured tendon.
The Bayern Munich star was expected to be a key contributor, so the team will have to come together to replace his absence.
Netherlands wins if: Everything goes to plan.
The Dutch side, though often fractious, are as talented as any nation in Qatar. Coach Louis van Gaal has them ticking over nicely – they have not lost in 2022 – so they just need to ease into the competition and find their rhythm.
Mismatch to watch: Goal threats.
With Mane’s absence, no player on Senegal’s squad has scored more than 10 goals in international play: Forwards Ismaila Sarr and Famara Diedhiou each have that exact number in 48 and 25 appearances, respectively.
The Netherlands is not blessed with a ton of scorers either, but in Barcelona’s Memphis Depay (42 goals in 81 appearances) it has at least one that could do some serious damage.
Prop to watch: Bet Boost Correct Score – Netherlands 3-1 +2000.
A big Dutch victory, while conceding at least once is entirely possible.
Other props to consider:
Depay to score (First +350, Last +350, Anytime: +140), Boulaye Dia is Senegal’s top candidate (Anytime: +450).
Both Teams to Score is possible (Yes +100, No -150).
More specifically, Total Goals Both Teams Combined 3 Goals could come into play (Over +300, Exactly +333, Under -138) and if both teams get off to a quick start, it could pay out nicely (Both Teams to Score in 1st Half: Yes +500, No -800).
USA vs. Wales betting preview
| Match Odds |
|---|---|
| USA vs. Wales | USA (+140), Draw (+200), Wales (+225) |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 (+150), Under 2.5 (-188) |
| Player Tackles: Tyler Adams (USA) Over 3.5 | (+225) |
USA wins if: Gregg Berhalter’s talented, but young side, can live up to its potential on the day.
With the Americans missing out on Russia 2018, only one player on the current squad, Deandre Yedlin, has been to the World Cup before. There is plenty of big-game experience on the side, but this stage is different.
Wales wins if: Gareth Bale is ready to go.
The 33-year-old superstar has been one of the stranger stories in recent years, seemingly falling out of love with the game, at the club level at least. His departure from Real Madrid and move to LAFC was meant to get him some valuable game time and fitness, but he spent the majority of his time on the bench. Bale did step up to score a big goal in the MLS Cup Final, which LAFC won – he has a knack for the big moment and is a different player in a Welsh shirt.
Mismatch to watch: Experience.
Rob Page’s Welsh side has oodles of matches under its belt with three players having made more than 100 appearances and another three with over 50.
The USA, on the other hand, has just three players with more than 50 appearances. Youthful exuberance can make up for some of that, especially in this first game, but the fish bowl that is the World Cup is different.
Props to watch: Player Tackles: Tyler Adams Over 3.5 +225.
The Leeds midfielder has impressed in his first season in England, averaging four tackles per game through 13 matches – he will be busy against Wales.
Other props to consider:
Bale to Score (First +500, Last +500, Anytime +225) looks inviting, while for the USA Christian Pulisic (First +650, Last +650, Anytime +300) could be the key to a result. A Bet Boost Same Game Parlay of Bale to Score Anytime, Result Wales, and Both Teams to Score Yes is set at +1400.
The Goal Over/Under is set at 2.5 (Over +162, Under -200), but this one could be a tight affair. A Correct Score of USA 1, Wales 1 pays out at +550.
