Prediction and odds for the game: England (1/3) vs Iran (10/1)

We are backing under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 4/7

When: Monday 21 November 2022, Kick-off 13:00

Where: The Khalifa International Stadium

Monday afternoon sees England and Iran go head-to-head in World Cup Group B as the pair look to make a winning start to the competition.

England

The Three Lions have performed well in recent international tournaments, having made it to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of the 2020 European Championships. However, both tournaments ultimately ended in failure.

Gareth Southgate’s team is once again considered to be one of the favourites to lift the trophy in Qatar. However, his undoubtedly talented squad go into this competition in poor form, as they have failed to win in any of their previous six matches, a run which includes three draws and three defeats.

One of the biggest concerns is in attack, as Harry Kane and co. have failed to score in three of their last four international games. They must up their game in Qatar if they are to have any hope of reaching the latter stages of the competition.

Strangely, England has an underwhelming recent record at the World Cup, with just one victory in five games. Their recent matches at the World Cup have also been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in their last five games in 90 minutes. Their most recent matches in the competition have also been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their previous five games.

Iran

The team managed by Carlos Queiroz qualified for the World Cup by winning Group A of the Asian qualifiers. They qualified by winning eight of their ten games in qualifying while losing just once.

Iran’s recent international record is decent, too, as they are undefeated in three games, having recorded two victories in the run. A 1-0 victory over Nicaragua last time out was the third straight Iran game to produce under 2.5 goals.

Their recent record at World Cups is a woeful one, as Iran has won just once in their last ten games in the competition. That record also includes three defeats in their previous five matches.

Conclusion

England are the favourites to win this clash. In fact, they are one of the favourites to win the World Cup. However, the Three Lions have been in poor form of late. We are still backing an England win, but this could be a close game. The other bet we are backing is under 2.5 goals, simply because England has struggled for goals in recent matches, while Iran’s recent games have been low-scoring of late.

Our Tips: We are backing under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 4/7 and/or the England win at odds of 1/3. (All odds are taken from Bet365)

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Who will come out on top in this Group B clash at the World Cup?