England vs USA odds and prediction: who is the favourite in the World Cup 2022 game?
England can qualify for the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup when they face the USMNT on Group B matchday two on Friday.
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After thrashing Iran in their opening match of the 2022 World Cup, England can qualify for the last 16 when they take on the United States in Group B on Friday.
Bukayo Saka scored twice as the Three Lions beat Iran 6-2 on Monday, with Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish also on target at Khalifa International Stadium.
The USMNT, meanwhile, were held to a 1-1 draw by Wales in their Group B opener. The Stars and Stripes dominated the Welsh in the first half, and deservedly took the lead when Tim Weah finished low from Christian Pulisic’s pass. However, the Dragons hit back after the break, Gareth Bale netting a late penalty to earn Rob Page’s side a point in Al Rayyan.
Win will take England into next round
Having ended matchday one top of the group, England can now guarantee themselves a place in the knockout stages by beating the USMNT.
Captain Harry Kane will be fit for the clash at Al Bayt Stadium, despite going off against Iran with ankle discomfort. “Harry is good,” England head coach Gareth Southgate told reporters on Thursday. “It would be a brave decision to leave him out of the starting line-up.”
Defender Harry Maguire was substituted against Iran after feeling unwell, but is available for selection and is expected to win his 50th England cap.
The USMNT have not reported any injury problems ahead of a game in which they can neither qualify nor be eliminated from contention. Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest both arrived in Qatar with niggles, but boss Gregg Berhalter told his pre-match press conference: “They’re both doing fine.”
Midfielder Yunus Musah in line to start against the country he represented at youth level, before switching his allegiance to the Stars and Stripes.
England vs USMNT: match odds
England are the bookmakers’ clear favourites to beat the USMNT, with US betting houses offering odds of around -190 to -200 on a victory for Southgate’s side.
A USMNT triumph is priced at +550 to +600, while a draw comes with odds of +295 to +320.
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England vs USMNT: prediction
England and the USMNT have met twice before at World Cups - and the Americans have had the upper hand so far. Joe Gaetjens’ goal gave the US a shock 1-0 win at the 1950 finals in Brazil, before the teams drew 1-1 at South Africa 2010.
Particularly after impressing against Iran, England will be expected to make it third time lucky against the USMNT at World Cups - but Southgate cautioned against over-confidence in his pre-match press conference.
“Have we ever beaten the States in a major tournament? No, so we have to try to make history,” the 52-year-old said. “We’re good at talking highly of ourselves as a nation with no evidence, so we need to perform well.
“We will play a highly-motivated team and have huge respect for the opponents. We know their players and the quality and athleticism they have, so we have to be at our best. I don’t think we will be underestimating USA.”
By conceding twice on Monday despite dominating a poor Iran, England showed that they’re far from watertight defensively; indeed, they’ve now let in 10 goals in their last four games in all competitions. We can therefore expect the US to get on the scoresheet.
However, if England attack with the same confidence and cutting edge as on matchday one, they should out-score their opponents.
Prediction: England 4-2 USMNT
Video: Tim Weah, son of heroes
