England vs Iran odds and predictions: Who is the favorite?
Harry Kane & co. are expected to get past Iran in their opening game vs. the Iranians, but Queiroz’s men have had good results lately.
Since the World Cup groups were announced, analysis and predictions has become de riguerur.
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Argentina and Brazil are considered clear favorites to top their groups, but they were not the only ones: England was tipped by most to grab the first position of Group B, ahead of the US, Wales, and Iran.
However, the Three Lions have a history of making a slow start at the World Cup and their opening group game on Monday evening at the Khalifa International stadium could be a tight encounter.
Iran are no pushovers: they are the number one Asian side in the latest FIFA world rankings, with coach Carlos Queiroz guiding the team to 20th place in the standings.
England vs Iran: odds
The 1966 champions are entering the World Cup after a winless Nations League campaign which saw them relegated to League B.
Gareth Southgate will be aiming to get a good result because if England lose, they could fail to win seven games in a row for only the second time, having set that record all the way back in 1958.
Iran have lost just one competitive fixture in three years but remain clear outsiders against England with bet365 offering them at 10/1 (11.00).
England meanwhile are priced at 1/3 (1.33) with the draw available at 15/4 (4.75).
England vs Iran: prediction
The Three Lions are heavy favorites to get away with the win, as they have more quality in every line, but not always the better team comes out on top, and that has been proven many times in previous World Cup editions.
Harry Kane was the top scorer at the last World Cup and is the favorite to win the Golden Boot in Qatar. He will be England’s best asset to go far in the tournament, although he will be surrounded by Manchester City’s young star Phil Foden.
Meanwhile, Iran have never progressed beyond the group stage of the World Cup in its current format, and they have only ever won two games in the tournament.
However, in their last three games, they defeated Uruguay and Nicaragua and tied to African force Senegal, so they go into the match in good form.
Porto forward Mehdi Taremi has been in excellent form this season with five goals in five Champions League games, and will probably want to help his squad register a huge upset in Qatar.
Prediction: England 2-0 Iran