Wales vs England: Three Lions have too much class for ailing Welsh
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World Cup 2022: Wales vs England odds, preview and tips
England have one foot in the knockout stage of the World Cup ahead of their final group game against Wales despite an underwhelming goalless draw with the United States.
Gareth Southgate’s side top the pool with four points and just need to avoid a four-goal defeat in Tuesday’s match to reach the round of 16, so they would have to produce one of their worst performances in history to miss out.
Ladbrokes go 4/9 in the England winning odds to come out on top in the Battle of Britain, with the Dragons priced at 13/2 and the draw 10/3.
Wales vs England form
The Three Lions were booed off at the end of Friday’s match which came just four days after they lapped up the plaudits for their scintillating 6-2 victory against Iran, who bounced back by beating Wales.
England have plenty of motivation to win their group as they are likely to face either Ecuador or Senegal on Sunday barring a disaster for the Netherlands in their final game against World Cup hosts Qatar, who have already been eliminated.
Southgate’s men struggled to get through the front six of the USA, who struck the crossbar through Christian Pulisic, and West McKinnie skied a decent chance over the bar from near the penalty spot.
"We controlled the game from the back but couldn't really open up for that really clear-cut chance."
The boss looks back on tonight's @FIFAWorldCup encounter:pic.twitter.com/kkxUm2hc8S
— England (@England) November 25, 2022
Wales, though, were second best against Iran, who hit both posts and had a goal disallowed before they finally took the lead in the 98th minute after Wayne Hennessey became only the third keeper in World Cup finals history to be sent off in the closing stages.
Talismanic captain Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey were well off the pace, while substitute Joe Allen’s poor clearance in his first competitive appearance at any level in two months led to Iran’s opener.
We don’t expect the Welsh to be able to press the Three Lions with the same vim and verve deployed by the young Americans, so last year’s Euro 2020 runners-up to win both halves at 12/5 is one of our Wales vs England betting tips.
England don’t need to bust a gut to ensure their place in the last 16 but they don’t really want to be playing Netherlands in the knockout stage and so the 2018 semi-finalists to be up after 30 minutes catches the eye at 13/8 in the World Cup betting.
Wales vs England head to head
England beat Wales 3-0 in a friendly at Wembley two years ago when Jack Grealish was man of the match and it was the Manchester City man who brought some impetus to the Three Lions’ laborious play when he was introduced midway through the second half against the USA.
Grealish may be given the chance to shine from the off against Wales, although Southgate kept the same starting line-up against the USA that had performed so well against the Iranians.
"We controlled the game from the back but couldn't really open up for that really clear-cut chance."
The boss looks back on tonight's @FIFAWorldCup encounter:pic.twitter.com/kkxUm2hc8S
— England (@England) November 25, 2022
It’s worth checking the line-ups an hour before kick-off, but Grealish to have an assist at 13/5 seems plausible as one of our Wales vs England betting tips.
England have won the last six meetings with the Dragons, all of which involved three or fewer match goals – an option which can be backed at 11/10 in the World Cup odds.
Too many key Wales players have gone into this tournament lacking match fitness and they are unlikely to have the energy to threaten England.
Wales vs England team news
James Maddison returned to training on Saturday following rehabilitation on a knee injury.
The 26-year-old midfielder was unavailable for the first two group games due to the issue that led to his first-half substitution in Leicester’s final match before the World Cup, but he joined the 13 non-starters from Friday’s match in training at their Al Wakrah Sports Complex base.
Jordan Henderson, who came off the bench in the second half against the USA, was the only non-starter that worked away from the group as he did an individualised programme indoors alongside those that started.
Wales coach Rob Page said his medical team had to work hard to patch up his tired team following their 1-1 draw with the USA in their opening game and they will be working overtime again to get the likes of Bale and Ramsey in peak condition.
Goalscorer odds
Harry Kane, the 2018 Golden Boot winner, has drifted to 25/1 in the World Cup top scorer odds after another blank showing on Friday, but he is the 13/5 favourite to break the deadlock or 5/6 to get on the scoresheet.
Bukayo Saka scored twice against Iran and is 9/2 and 9/5 in the same markets, while he is 11/1 to bag another double.
Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Grealish were on target against Iran and are 9/2, 10/3 and 6/1 to draw first blood respectively or 7/4, 5/4 and 23/10 as anytime options.
Mason Mount forced USA keeper Matt Turner into making a smart save on Friday and is 8/1 and 3/1.
For Wales, Bale is usually the man Wales turn to when they need a goal and he is 7/1 to get the ball rolling or 13/5 to score, while Kieffer Moore is 17/2 and 16/5, although he will need to be at his best to get the better of Harry Maguire who was outstanding at the heart of defence against the USA.
Match Info
Where: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
When: 19:00, Tuesday, 29th November
How to watch: BBC
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
