World Cup 2022 Wales vs England, Tips & Predictions

World Cup Group B reaches its conclusion on matchday 3 with a lip-licking game between neighbours Wales and England. The match takes place at the Ahmad bin Ali stadium on Tuesday 29th November at 10pm local time, when these two teams hope the heat will have subsided somewhat.

There will be plenty of heat on the pitch in this one, however. Both sides will be bitterly disappointed with their performances on matchday two, and Wales now face an uphill task to qualify. England are all but through – only a 4-0 reverse here, combined with the right result in the Iran Vs USA game, will see England fail to reach the Round of 16 - but a vastly improved performance here will be expected by both sets of supporters. With neither team in great form, and goals a bit of an issue, who will find the spark here? There are plenty of players who could do it. Harry Kane or Gareth Bale anyone? 22bet certainly think so, and any goalscoring betting tips are likely to feature one of those two star men scoring.

In terms of the World Cup betting odds, England are firm favourites in terms of these two particular teams, although Gareth Southgate’s men see their odds drifting in terms of winning the whole tournament. You could still back them at betting odds of around 8/1 with Bwin.

• England and Wales renew their rivalry, this time on the biggest stage. The last time these two sides met was in an international friendly two years ago – England ran out 3-0 winners that day.
• The last time these two teams faced off in a competitive game was in the group stage of Euro 2016. Wales took the lead through talisman Gareth Bale, but the English ultimately prevailed with a 2-1 victory, secured in injury time.
• Wales are featuring in their first World Cup since 1958 but have managed to qualify for the last two European Championships. In 2016 the Welsh reached the semi-final stage.
• England have won only one of their last eight games. In that time, Wales have the same record, with their sole win coming in the World Cup playoff game against Ukraine that booked their place here.

England and Wales had been in rotten form heading into this tournament, and England’s win over Iran aside, that form has continued into the tournament for both teams. And with so much at riding on this local derby to be played in the heat of Qatar, expect it to be a nail-biting affair with goals at a premium.

UNDER 2.5 GOALS TO BE SCORED IN THE MATCH

Games between big rivals are usually cagey, especially when there is so much at stake. It’s telling how much England have been struggling to score from open play, and with the Welsh defence and England attack pitching club teammates together, it’s easy to see a stalemate forming here. No goals in the first half as the two teams try to figure each other out.

THE GAME TO BE 0-0 AT HALFTIME

But ultimately there should be a winner in this game, and we are backing England as our prediction. It will be tense, it will be close, but expect one of England’s big guns to stand up here. Captain Harry Kane to gran his first goal of the tournament perhaps? England to snatch it and book their progression to the knockout rounds as group winners.

ENGLAND TO WIN

Wales

Wales have plenty of good players, but their talismen remain the same. Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey have led a golden era for Welsh football, ably supported by a solid cast of Premier League players. But those two aforementioned players are getting on, and this may be a swan-song for this generation of Welsh tournament. You certainly can’t count this team out, though, and that’s a solid prediction. 

Key Player/s: It’s hard to look past team icon and Wales legend Gareth Bale, who for added intrigue, now plays his club football in the USA with Los Angeles FC. He may be getting older, but this is a player who loves to save it for the biggest stage.

Team news: Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey will miss this one after his red card against Iran. Other than that, head coach Rob Page has a full squad to select from   

Predicted Lineup: Hennesey, Ampadu, Mepham, Rodon, Davies, Roberts, Williams, Ramsey, Bale, Moore, James

England

England and their long-suffering supporters have quickly crashed back to earth after the jubilation of that opening win over Iran. The stodginess in their play returned against the States, and England were fortunate to come away with a point from that one. Gareth Southgate’s men are as good as qualified now with four points on the board, but this game is another potential banana skin. And looking at the bigger picture, a positive performance is needed here to restore some belie that this undoubtedly talented team can go deep into this tournament.  England are still packed with quality but does the coach know how to get the best out of these players? The two previous international tournaments would suggest the answer to that question is ‘yes’. 

Key Player/s: It’s hard to look past captain and top goalscorer Harry Kane in terms of the team’s most important player. Kane won the Golden Boot at the last World Cup but is yet to open his account in the Middle East. England will also be hoping for a performance from star youngster Jude Bellingham.

Team news: Coach Gareth Southgate has no major injury concerns heading into this game.  

Predicted Lineup: Pickford, Stones, Walker, Maguire, Shaw, Trippier, Rice, Bellingham, Sterling, Foden, Kane

This could be horribly nervy and not one for the neutral. Wales will battle hard and we expect any goals to feature late as players tire. England will ultimately snatch it, as they did when the two teams met in the group stages of Euro 2016. Again, it won’t be a classic.

Bet on England to win