United States vs Wales – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
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THE FACTS
When is United States vs Wales on and what time does it start? United States vs Wales will take place on Monday 21st November, 2022 – 19:00 (UK)
Where is United States vs Wales taking place? United States vs Wales will take place at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for United States vs Wales? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for United States vs Wales
What channel is United States vs Wales on in the UK? United States vs Wales will be televised live on BBC / United States vs Wales will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream United States vs Wales in the UK? United States vs Wales can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app / United States vs Wales can be streamed live on the ITV Hub
THE LOWDOWN
UNITED STATES
- After failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, a real watershed low for everyone within their setup, former semi-finalists United States have a point to prove in Qatar to all of those who don’t see them as a ‘footballing nation’.
- The strength-in-depth within this United States squad is impressive, but Christian Pulisic remains the poster boy of this side and American football in general, although in Giovanni Reyna, Sergino Dest and Weston McKennie, head coach Gregg Berhalter is not short of game-changing talent.
WALES
- Wales are all set to make history in this, their first ever FIFA World Cup appearance, spearheaded by skipper Gareth Bale, a multiple UEFA Champions League winner who boasts 40 goals for his country and over 100 caps.
- Rob Page’s one big injury concern is regarding veteran midfielder Joe Allen, who is training and said to be putting himself in an oxygen chamber to prove his fitness, with Page likely to consider changing formation should Allen not be ready and deploy Kieffer Moore as a central striker.
THE TEAM NEWS
UNITED STATES
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Turner; Dest, Zimmermann, Carter-Vickers, Robinson; McKennie, Adams, Musah; Reyna, Ferreira, Pulisic
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: McKennie (Fitness)
WALES
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Ward; Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Roberts, Allen, Ampadu, Ramsey, Williams; Bale, James
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Allen (Fitness)
THE KEY STATS
- Wales were unbeaten in their last nine games in their successful qualifying campaign for the 2022 finals (W6 D3)
- USA are unbeaten in the two previous meetings between these two nations (W 2-0 in 2003 and D 0-0 in 2020)
- USA have won only two of their last 12 FIFA World Cup matches (D4 L6)
- USA have lost their opening match in only one of their last four World Cup appearances (W2 D1)
- USA have only failed to score in one of their last ten FIFA World Cup matches. The only team who managed to shut out the USA during this sequence is Germany who claimed a 1-0 victory when the two nations met in the group stage at Brazil 2014
- USA have kept only two clean sheets in their last 27 World Cup matches
- USA have lost only one of their last six World Cup group stage matches (W2 D3)
- USA have won only two of their last 11 World Cup group stage matches (D5 L4)
- USA have lost only two of their last ten international matches (W4 D4)
- USA have kept six clean sheets in their last ten international matches
- DeAndre Yedlin is the only player in the USA squad to have previously featured at the World Cup. He made three appearances for the nation in 2014
- Wales have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1958, that being their only previous appearance at the finals
- Wales reached the quarter-finals on their World Cup debut in 1958 where they narrowly lost out to the eventual champions Brazil in the last eight. Pelé – then a 17-year-old – scored the only goal of the game
- Wales drew all three of their group stage matches in 1958 and then defeated Hungary 2-1 in a play-off to reach the quarter-finals
- Wales have qualified for the knockout phase in each of their three major international tournament appearances (World Cup 1958, EURO 2016 and EURO 2020)
- Wales have not conceded more than one goal in any of their previous five World Cup matches
- Wales have won only one of their last eight international matches (D2 L5)
THE PREDICTION
With England in the same group, this is an absolutely crucial encounter for both these two countries, because the loser would almost certainly need to gain a positive result against the Three Lions to give themselves a chance of making the knockout stage. This may lead to a cagey affair, as both teams prioritise defensive stability and not allowing the opposition to dominate their half. The likes of Pulisic and Bale are capable of conjuring up a moment of magic at any time and are each likely to be closely marked by their opponents. Therefore, it would be no surprise if clear cut chances for either team are in short supply and regardless of the final outcome, backing under 2.5 goals scored has to be favoured.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
