World Cup 2022: Iran v USA Betting Preview & Odds
World Cup Qatar 2022 Iran v USA. No love is lost between these two countries, and hostilities will likely continue on the pitch as both sides battle for qualification. Iran has the advantage. Their 2-0 win against Wales has them second in the group with three points, one behind England. The USA are yet to win at the 2022 World Cup, but victory over Iran will see them through, and they could even top the group if Wales beats England. Join us as we assess both teams and highlight the players to watch. We also make predictions in the popular Over / Under goals market and our final score prediction.
In a group with Portugal and Spain, the Iran team came close to qualifying for the knockout phase in 2018. A match between two sides involved in frosty relations for many years, but football as a sport that unites, and we expect the two sides to deliver a fantastic football game. In a competition that has been very generous in additional time, Iran scored two goals in the ninth and eleventh minute of extra time to win 2 – 0 against Wales.
They face USMNT wanting to make their return to top-flight worthwhile after missing out on the 2018 edition. They play Iran in the final game, which could determine who qualifies for the next stage. The United States media torment their football team with a lot of pressure especially given the success of their women’s team. It would be fascinating to see if the USA team can absorb the pressure and use it to motivate themselves to perform or if they will crack under a spirited Iran side that looks a different team to the one England hammered.
We analyse players who could make a difference and bets to consider.
Iran Vs USA Betting Odds and Markets
The most popular markets are the full-time result or the over/under. See the latest odds-on offer in the tables below.
| Match Result Betting | ||
|---|---|---|
| Iran Win | Draw | USA Win |
| 3/1 | 5/2 | 19/20 |
The politics could take centre stage in this encounter, but we anticipate an exceptional game of football given the side boasting strong squads. The odds favour the USA with bet365 offering 19/20 for the Americans. The draw seems unlikely, with both teams needing a win, but it is priced at 5/1. Iran at 3/1 is worth considering, as they put a disastrous match day one behind them.
Iran lost the opening game to England (6 – 2) despite playing exceptionally well in attack and followed up their performance with a win against Wales (2 – 0). They had carried on the form they were on before the World Cup, where they won three; Nicaragua (1 – 0), Uruguay (1 – 0), and Lebanon (2 – 0) drawing one; Senegal (1 – 1), and losing two; Tunisia (2 – 0), Algeria (2 – 1).
The USA have a lot to improve after a poor record before the World Cup of just one win (Grenada 5 – 0) in their last five games, drawing three (Saudi Arabia 0 – 0, El Salvador 1 – 1, Uruguay 0 – 0), and losing one (Japan 2 – 0). Moreover, they conceded late to draw 1 – 1 against Wales in their opening game, and although they were the better team against England, they failed to secure the win.
Over/Under Market
| Match Result Betting | |
|---|---|
| Over 2.5 Goals | Under 2.5 Goals |
| 6/5 | 4/6 |
The stakes are high in this battle, and we concur with the bookies that it will be low scoring game with the Under 2.5 market priced at 4/6 while the Over 2.5 set at 6/5.
Player(s) to watch – Iran
Hossein Kanaanizadegan is their most dependable member of the backline. The twenty-eight-year-old was excluded from the 2018 edition. He has since established himself as the powerhouse in the backline playing more minutes in qualifying than another player in the team. The largest player in the backline will be a significant physical presence in defending set pieces and muscling up opposition to try to keep a shutout.
Not to miss out on the cake bonanza @ahliqat has laid on this beauty for Iranian defender Hossein Kanaanizadegan who helped his country to Qatar 2022! Sensational frosting work! 🇮🇷 🎂 🕺🏻#FootballcakesoftheGCC pic.twitter.com/jIrRvvZ1MJ
— Mitch Freeley (@mitchos) February 3, 2022
Player(s) to watch – USA
Tim Weah is the son of Liberian legend and the most remarkable African Soccer Player of all time, George Weah. Ironically, in his playing days between 1980-1990, he never reached the World Cup. So, it’s understandable to see his son choosing to play for the USA, hoping to make a name for himself rather than live under his father’s shadow. The young Weah scored USA’s goal in their opening 1 – 1 draw against Wales. He is intelligent, fast, and makes good shots on the right-hand side of the attack, which has been his side’s most productive side of the field.
Stat-wise, the USA’s most influential player is goalkeeper Matt Turner who has an average match rating of 7.13 over the 180 minutes he has played. With America’s attacking intent, Turner may prove to be the hero if Iran plays on the counter-attack. The 27-year-old previously played for New England Revolution before moving to London to join Arsenal in January.
Matt Turner produces a great display as he & the USA keep a clean sheet against England in the World Cup…
Great job, @headdturnerr!🇺🇸💪🏼 #afc pic.twitter.com/di8ZBLbXA4
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) November 25, 2022
Match Prediction: Iran 1 – 1 USA
We anticipate both sides to be reserved as the stakes of qualifying for the knockout phase have never been higher. The narrow point gap means whoever wins this match qualifies for the next stage. We expect both sides to take a compact defensive shape and be ready to pounce on any attacking chance. We predict a 1 – 1 draw, but this game is there for either side to win.
Iran v United States, Group B, the Al Thumama Stadium. Kick-off is at 7 pm (UK time).
Iran Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Persepolis), Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal), Amir Abedzadeh (Ponferradina), Payam Niazmand (Sepahan).
Defenders: Ehsan Hajsafi (AEK Athens), Morteza Pouraliganji (Persepolis), Ramin Rezaeian (Sepahan), Milad Mohammadi (AEK Athens), Shojae Khalilzadeh (Al-Ahli), Hossein Kanaanizadegan (Al-Ahli), Sadegh Moharrami (Dinamo Zagreb), Majid Hosseini (Kayserispor), Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal), Abolfazl Jalali (Esteghlal).
Midfielders: Vahid Amiri (Persepolis), Saeid Ezatolahi (Vejle), Mehdi Torabi (Persepolis), Saman Ghoddos (Brentford), Ali Gholizadeh (Charleroi), Ahmad Nourollahi (Shabab Al Ahli), Ali Karimi (Kayserispor).
Forwards: Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Feyenoord), Mehdi Taremi (Porto), Karim Ansarifard (Omonia), Sardar Azmoun (Bayer Leverkusen).
USA Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Luton Town), Sean Johnson (New York City FC), Matt Turner (Arsenal).
Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Sergiño Dest (AC Milan), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC), Tim Ream (Fulham), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Joe Scally (Borussia Moenchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC).
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Kellyn Acosta (LAFC), Tyler Adams (Leeds), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (Valencia), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC).
Forwards: Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Tim Weah (Lille), Haji Wright (Antalyaspor).
You can learn more about placing World Cup bets on our World Cup betting page. In addition, our World Cup fixtures page will bring you all the latest match previews and betting tips.
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