WhichBookie racing analyst Andrew Blair White provides a preview and betting tips for races at Fairyhouse on Wednesday 7th July.
Wales became the 32nd and final team to officially qualify for the 2022 World Cup after beating Ukraine 1-0 in Cardiff at the beginning of June. It’s a huge achievement for Rob Page’s side which marks just the second time in history that they will feature in the finals of the competition with the last being all the way back in 1958. They reached the quarter-finals in that competition and although it’s unlikely to see them at that stage of the tournament this year, they will have their eyes set on reaching the knockout stages which is not out of the question.
For the USA, this will be their 10th appearance at the World Cup finals but their first since Brazil 2014. They have quality within their squad with Christian Pulisic, Sergino Dest, Giovanni Reyna and Weston McKenny being a few notable names at their disposal. They’re 5/4 to qualify from Group B compared to evens for Wales. With Iran being 3/1 outsiders to reach the knockout stages and England at a very short 1/16 with some bookies, it’s looking like it’s between these two sides to claim second place which makes this fixture a huge game for both sides.
Date of Tips: 17/06/2022
Disclaimer The odds for these selections were correct at the time of publishing (14:21 17/06/2022) but may have changed since. Please check the latest price before placing your bet.
This is a tough match to call. Both sides certainly have goals in them and so it could be a potentially very entertaining fixture.
The bookies seem to agree that it will be a tight match with almost identical odds available on each side to win. 6/4 on USA and 15/8 on Wales are both a shot in the dark for me and I’d much rather back the draw if I was picking a selection from the match winner market at odds of 11/5.
These two sides last met in a friendly back in 2020 which resulted in a stalemate. However, I can see goals in this match and BTTS at 21/20 is very appealing to me.
Looking at the correct score market, I think 1-1 is the most likely score but 11/2 isn’t hugely appealing. Instead, I’d rather take the chance on both sides to net twice in a 2-2 draw priced at 20/1.
Being the opening game and with what is at stake, many will be expecting a cagey game. However, an early goal from either side would open the match up and multiple goals from both sides is certainly not out of the question if that happens.
USA vs Wales team news and line ups will be published here once full World Cup squads have been announced.