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The United States begins their quest for at least a Round of 16 appearance on Monday when Team USA takes on Wales at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan. Some are calling this the best U.S. side at the World Cup ever. If that’s the case, the United States should have no trouble taking down a Welsh side that’s an underdog in the match. Will USA prevail? Or will Wales show the Americans that the United States has a long way to go before challenging European teams at the World Cup. See below for FIFA World Cup Odds, analysis, and a free pick for United States versus Wales.

2022 FIFA World Cup Betting Analysis: USA vs Wales Group B Matchup

USA versus Wales Betting Lines and Match Info

When: Monday, Nov. 21 at 2:00 pm ET

Where: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar

TV/Streaming: FOX

Handicap Odds: United States -0.5 +153 / Wales +0.5 -198

Moneyline Odds: Wales +200 / United States +161 / Draw +200

Total Odds: O 2.5 +148 / U 2.5 -190

Why Wales is a good play versus United States

Wales had to beat out quality teams like the Ukraine to just make it to the World Cup. So the Welsh are battle tested versus some seriously talented soccer squads.

Not only that but even though the Welsh have lost 4 and drawn once in their last 5 matches, Wales played against much better teams than the U.S. The loss to the Netherlands, as an example, came after the Welsh scored 2 goals in a 3-2 contest.

Wales drew 1-1 versus Belgium. Both Belgium and the Netherlands have enough talent to win the World Cup. The United States does not.

Wales Last 5

L – 0-1 vs. Poland
L – 2-1 vs. Belgium
L – 3-2 vs. Netherlands
D – 1-1 vs. Belgium
L – 1-2 vs. Netherlands

Wales Predicted Starting Lineup

Hennessy
Rodon
Davies
Mepham
Roberts
Thomas
Ampadu
Wilson
Ramsey
Bale
Johnson

Why United States is a good play versus Wales

The U.S. boasts a talented starting eleven. Christian Pulisic plays for Chelsea, goalie Matt Turner plays for Arsenal, Gio Reyna steps onto the pitch for Dortmund, and Weston McKennie plays for Juventus.

Not only that, but Team USA has played smart soccer leading up to the WC. Don’t let the 2-0 loss to Japan fool you.

First, the match was an international friendly. Second, head coach and manager Gregg Berhalter has tried out different combinations leading up to the tournament.

Berhalter is doing what a manager is supposed to do to ready his team for World Cup success. On paper, the U.S. is more talented than Wales. It should show on the pitch.

United States Last 5

D – 0-0 vs. Saudi Arabia
L – 2-0 vs. Japan
D – 1-1 vs. El Salvador
W – 5-0 vs. Grenada
D – 0-0 vs. Uruguay

United States Predicted Starting Lineup

Turner
Long
Carter-Vickers
Robinson
Canon
McKennie
Acosta
Weah
Aronson
Pulisic
Ariola

Final Betting Analysis: United States vs Wales

Overall, Team USA does have more talent than Wales, but the Welsh have something the United States doesn’t, a legit striker.

Pulisic, Weah, Reyna and the rest are good players. The problem is that not a single one of them is a true striker. Pulisic might be the best striker on the team.

He’s not a striker on the level of Wales’ star Gareth Bale. Gareth could get a goal on Monday, which means the Welsh win. More than likely, Berhalter instructs his team to play a conservative match, which is why backing the draw is the play.

World Cup Pick: Draw

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