USA 2-1 Wales: What’s your prediction?

USA take on a Gareth Bale-led Wales in their opening fixture. The 2021 CONCACAF Nations League champions will bank on some bright young players to take them over the line against a stubborn Wales side.

Wales rally behind their star skipper Bale who has delivered the goods but can the left-footed talisman conjure enough spirit to drive his side to victory against an exuberant USA?

When?

22nd November, 01:00 am

Where?

Al-Thumama Stadium, Al Thumama, Qatar

Previous meetings

U.S. and Wales have played each other only twice, both in friendlies, with the U.S. winning 2-0 in 2003 and the other game ending in a goalless draw in 2020.

Prediction: USA 2-1 Wales

Possible lineups

USA: (4-3-3) Matt Turner (GK), Sergino Dest, Walker Zimmerman, Aaron Long, Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Brendan Aaronson, Gio Reyna, Jesus Ferreira, Christian Pulisic

Wales: (3-4-3) Wayne Hennessey (GK), Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Ben Davies; Connor Roberts, Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey, Neco Williams; Gareth Bale, Keiffer Moore, Daniel James

Key stats

* Wales are playing in the World Cup finals for the first time in 64 years, while the U.S. return after failing to qualify for the 2018 edition.

* The last time Wales played in the World Cup, in 1958, they reached the quarter-finals, suffering a 1-0 defeat to eventual champions Brazil as Pele scored the winner.

* The U.S. reached the final 16 in their last appearance in 2014, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Belgium.

* Wales qualified for the Qatar World Cup by beating Ukraine 1-0 in a playoff final after a 2-1 victory over Austria in the last four. Rob Page's side had sealed second place in their qualifying group behind Belgium.

* U.S. qualified after finishing third in CONCACAF qualifying behind Canada and Mexico.

Following is a statbox on USA

FIFA Ranking: 16

Odds: 100-1

Previous tournaments:

The United States have appeared in 10 World Cups. Their best performance was at the inaugural tournament in 1930 when they finished third. They reached the quarter-finals in 2002 courtesy of a 2-0 knockout win over Mexico in the last 16.

Their stunning 1-0 win against England in the 1950 group stage is among the greatest upsets in World Cup history. However, the success was short-lived and the U.S. failed to qualify for the next nine editions of the tournament.

How they qualified:

The pressure was on after the U.S. failed to reach the 2018 finals as they missed out for the first time in over 30 years.

Their latest campaign started slowly with draws against El Salvador and Canada before a 4-1 win over Honduras. They got the job done by scoring 21 goals in 14 games to finish third in CONCACAF qualifying behind Canada and Mexico.

Form guide:

The U.S. enjoyed a 3-0 romp over Morocco at home and held Uruguay to a 0-0 draw in June friendlies but their final two warm-ups raised serious concerns over their chances in Qatar.

They failed to produce a shot on goal in a 2-0 drubbing by Japan in September before Saudi Arabia held them to a 0-0 draw as the U.S. struggled to dominate their lower-ranked opponents.

Following is a statbox on Wales 

FIFA Ranking: 19

Odds: 100-1

Previous tournaments:

Wales have appeared in only one World Cup, in 1958, when they drew all three of their group stage games before sneaking into the knockouts with a playoff victory over Hungary. They were knocked out in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 defeat by eventual champions Brazil, with Pele scoring the winner.

How they qualified

Wales ended a 64-year wait for a place at the World Cup by beating Ukraine 1-0 in a playoff final after a 2-1 victory over Austria in the last four. Rob Page's side had sealed second place in their qualifying group behind Belgium.

Form guide

After qualifying, Wales' form hit the rocks and they head to the World Cup without a win since beating Ukraine to book their spot. They finished a distant last in their Nations League group and were relegated to the second tier after home and away losses to Netherlands and Poland plus a draw and defeat versus Belgium.