Wales vs Iran Odds: Preview & Betting Predictions As Dragons Look For First Win
Wales vs USA Predictions:
- Wales To Win - 23/20 With Betfair
- Second Half To Be The Highest Scoring Half - 6/5 With Paddy Power
- Kieffer Moore To Score Anytime - 5/2 With Bet365
Wales return to World Cup action on Friday, as Rob Page’s side face a crunch clash with Iran at the Al-Rayyan Stadium.
Betting sites have Wales down as favourites as they seek to boost their chances of qualifying for the knockout phase of the tournament.
The Dragons drew 1-1 with the United States in their opening encounter. Wales were poor in the first half of that game, as the USA’s energy and dynamism allowed them to dominate the opening 45 minutes.
But Wales fought back admirably after the break and levelled the scores via a Gareth Bale penalty to deservedly pick up a point.
Iran were thumped 6-2 by England last time out. The players’ minds might have been elsewhere - in solidarity with protestors back home as they refused to sing the national anthem pre-kick-off - but it was surprising to see Carlos Queiroz’s side so defensively slack.
Can Wales take a giant step closer to the round of 16, or will the Iranians bounce back on Friday? Here is how we see the game playing out.
Who Will Win Wales vs Iran?
Wales will take the positives from their second-half display against the USA.
But on reflection, Page will probably realise that he got his initial team selection wrong. With Dan James up top alongside Gareth Bale, Wales were unable to make the ball stick.
They surrendered possession too cheaply, allowing the USA to dominate proceedings early on.
The introduction of Kieffer Moore at the interval was the catalyst for the change in momentum. The Bournemouth striker gave Wales more of a physical presence up top.
Crucially, Page’s team did not just fire long balls vaguely in his direction. They looked for Moore’s feet and chest, allowing him to bring the ball down and combine with team-mates higher up the pitch.
Iran managed to score twice against England, but one goal was a penalty and the other was a fantastic finish from Mehdi Taremi after a rare break forward.
They struggled to put passing moves together and were far too open out of possession.
Meanwhile, it would only be natural if the players continued to be affected by events back home, especially as their recent protest must not have gone down well with the powers that be in Tehran.
If Wales can make a quicker start than they did against the USA, they have an excellent chance of coming out on top here – as their odds on World Cup betting sites show.
A victory would move them onto four points in Group B ahead of a crunch clash with England on matchday three.
Tip: Wales To Win - 23/20 With Betfair
Back A Higher-Scoring Second Half
After watching his side ship six goals last time out, Queiroz will have spent the last few days drilling his squad defensively.
A defeat would be fatal to Iran’s chances of qualifying for the round of 16, so they will be cautious and controlled, especially early on.
Queiroz will not want his team to be out of the game after 45 minutes like they were in the loss to England.
With a point in the bag already, Wales do not need to go gung-ho in this encounter. They should look to control the game in the opening stages and feel their way into it, rather than rush forward and risk being caught on the counter-attack.
A measured, mature performance is what is needed from Page’s side, and the manager would not be too disheartened to go into the break with the scores still level.
Wales would no doubt back themselves to nick a goal in the second half, when the game will probably open up as the final whistle nears.
With that in mind, odds of 6/5 with football betting sites on the second 45 minutes being higher scoring than the first looks like a good choice.
Tip: Second Half To Be The Highest Scoring Half - 6/5 With Paddy Power
Who Will Score For Wales Against Iran?
Bale is the obvious choice in this market on betting apps - and for good reason.
Wales’ talisman was quiet against the USA, but he delivered when his team needed him most, winning and then converting a penalty.
The more intriguing option though, is Kieffer Moore. If Iran sit deep, his penalty-box presence will be a potent weapon for Wales.
The Bournemouth man is excellent in the air, so the Dragons can whip crosses into the box and fire balls at him from set-pieces.
Moore has already shown in the Premier League how much of a threat he is in the opposition area.
The striker is almost certain to start here after the impact he made off the bench last time out, and the big centre-forward is our pick to score any time.
Tip: Kieffer Moore To Score Anytime - 5/2 With Bet365
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