Wales v England: Three Lions can seal Dragons’ fate
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Wales v England betting tips, predictions and odds
Wales head into their World Cup clash with neighbours England knowing anything other than a win will see them fail to reach the knockout stage.
Both teams were unable to find the net in their second group game but England are still on track to top the group while Wales are now 16/1 in the World Cup betting to qualify.
Tuesday’s Group B match at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium kicks off at 7pm and is live on the BBC.
Things can only get better
England and Wales are both coming off the back of disappointing results on Friday and will be keen to produce an improved performance regardless of what comes next.
Expectations were high for England after kicking off the World Cup with a 6-2 thrashing of Iran, only to be given a reality check in a goalless draw with the United States.
Christian Pulisic rattled the crossbar in the first half as Gregg Berhalter’s American side threatened to cause an upset against an England team that created precious little across the 90 minutes.
The goalless draw meant Gareth Southgate’s side blew the chance to wrap up progress to the knockout phase with a game to spare, leading to loud jeers echoing around Al Bayt Stadium at the final whistle.
🗣 Analysing @England's performance
🗣 Why Foden wasn't used
🗣 Looking ahead to the Wales gameGareth Southgate spoke to @gabrielclarke05 after England's draw with the USA 🏴🇺🇸#ThreeLions | #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/4ugfoRCxvs
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 25, 2022
Wales’ hopes of escaping from Group B are hanging by a thread after a shock 2-0 defeat by Iran, who scored both of their goals during 10 minutes of time added on after goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey saw red in the 86th minute.
Iran had hit both posts and had a goal disallowed before Roozbeh Cheshmi’s strike in the eighth minute of time added on broke the deadlock, with Ramin Rezaeian rubbing it in moments later.
England winning odds of 4/9 highlight the task facing Wales, who are 7/1 to end their campaign on a high even if it is not enough to prolong their stay in Qatar.
Wales v England history
Wales must beat England – something they have not achieved since 1984 –and hope Iran and the United States draw their final group game.
That would see Wales finish behind England and above Iran in second spot on goal difference, the first deciding factor for teams level on points at this World Cup.
Beating England by anything less than a four-goal margin would not be enough for Wales should either Iran or USA win that final game.
Wales, however, would finish above England and claim a round-of-16 spot by beating Southgate’s side by four goals.
England have never lost to Wales by four goals in the 143-year history of the fixture and can benefit from their opponents’ desperation for goals.
A WINNER AT THE DEATH 🔥🥵
And you can't say Iran didn't deserve it!
What a game that was 😰#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/POad5eaP18
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 25, 2022
A win for the Three Lions and over 2.5 goals at 6/5 looks a solid pick for Wales v England betting tips while an England win and both teams to score is 9/4.
England will go through so long as they avoid a 4-0 loss but will want to put on a better show and claim top spot in the group.
Facing familiar opponents may help and England were comfortable 3-0 winners when the teams last met in a friendly two years ago.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin broke the deadlock after 26 minutes before second-half goals from Conor Coady and Danny Ings put the result beyond doubt.
England are 6/5 to again be leading at both half-time and full-time while 12/5 to win both halves catches the eye in the Wales v England odds.
England to end with a flourish
England may again have to be patient but should be able to take control in the second half.
By that time, Wales may know their slim hopes are over and England undoubtedly have greater depth to their squad.
The likes of Callum Wilson, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden will all be keen to get a chance off the bench and can help England end the game strongly.
The second half to have the most goals at 19/20 is added to our Wales v England betting tips, along with 13/5 for England to win the second half by more than one goal.
Wilson is 14/5 to score the last goal and that also looks appealing with England presumably keen to rest Harry Kane ahead of the knockout stage.
View the latest World Cup odds
All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication
