Wales vs Iran Betting Odds & Recap

Both Sides Shooting for First Win

⚽Wales vs Iran: Game Recap⚽

Results: Wales 0 – 2 Iran

The Round of 16 is in the hands of Iran as they top Wales thanks to two injury-time goals.

Wales offered plenty of huff and puff, but at no point did any house look like being blown down. In truth, they seemed so scared to lose, they forfeited the opportunity to win. Following some top saves from Wayne Hennessey in the second half, the Welsh goalkeeper became the first player to receive a red card in the 2022 tournament. Before getting sent off, he made crucial stops from both Saeid Ezatolahi and Sardar Azmoun, which followed Iran hitting both posts in nine seconds.

Hennessey is only the third goalkeeper to get a red card at the World Cup, after Itumeleng Khune for South Africa versus Uruguay in 2010 and Gianluca Pagliuca for Italy against Norway in 1994.

Gareth Bale –making a record 110th international appearance for the men’s Welsh national team– was the player many sought to provide the spark. Unfortunately for Wales, that spark failed to ignite, and he finished the match with just 36 touches of the ball.

In their opening game against the United States, Wales looked a different side after half-time – with the introduction of Kieffer Moore changing the game in their favor. However, the opposite could be said today, with Wales losing control of the game in the second half and mustering just one shot on target.

📊 Team Stats 📊

WAL WalesIRN Iran
62%Possession38%
10Total Shots21
3Shots on Target6
5Shots Wide5
2Shots Blocked10
4Saves3
2Corners7
1Yellow Cards2
1Red Cards0
9Fouls10
2Offsides2
77%Pass Accuracy66%
4Dribbles5
20Crosses23
11Tackles20

Were We On the Right Track?

Below you will find all the predictions we made before the matchup, on November 22, 2022.

 

Bale and Wales Up and Running

Despite getting outplayed in the first half, Gareth Bale and Wales came away with a point in their Monday match vs. the USA. Meanwhile, Iran would like to forget about the 6-2 beatdown they received at the hands of England. Both teams are still very much alive in Group B but a win is crucial for both sides. Let’s take a look at the Wales vs Iran betting odds and see who’s favored.

Wales vs Iran

Date, time (TV):
Location: Al Rayyan, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
Streaming: FS1, Telemundo, Peacock

Team Standings and Odds:

TeamFIFA World RankingWorld Cup Qualifying RecordKnockout Stage OddsOdds to Win Group BOdds to Win World Cup
Wales196-3-1, 2nd UEFA Group E+150+900+20000
Iran208-1-1, 1st AFC Group A+450+12500+50000

Head-to-Head:

All Meetings:Teams
April 1978:Iran 0-1 Wales

Iran and Wales have only met once before, all the way back in 1978. The friendly finished in a 1-0 win for the Welsh XI. Now, Wales vs. Iran is one of the Group B FIFA games this week.

Wales: Multiple Positive Takeaways from Opener

Standings: 0-1-0, 1 point (T-2 Group B)
Previous Match: 1-1 D vs. USA
Upcoming Match: Nov. 25th vs. England

Playing their first World Cup match in 64 years, Wales managed a 1-1 draw vs. the USA. The Dragons fell behind in the first half as Tim Weah finished off Christian Pulisic. Rob Page substituted on 6’5” striker Kieffer Moore in the second half and the big man caused problems for the USA. He and Gareth Bale were the two main danger men for Wales and Bale earned a late penalty. Bale converted on his World Cup debut and Wales had some late chances to go on and win the game.

The result isn’t at all a bad one for Wales heading into their match vs. Iran. For those who fancy Wales to go on and defeat Iran, taking the Dragons to advance at +150 odds could be one of the best soccer bets. There aren’t any injury concerns for Wales heading into the match, apart from Ethan Ampadu. The defensive midfielder came off limping stages of the game but it just appeared to be a cramp. So, he should be good to go for Friday.

Wales looked resilient vs. the USA on Monday and nearly completed an excellent comeback. USA’s Matt Turner made an excellent save on a Ben Davies header 64 minutes in. What is impressive about Wales is that they can grind out results despite not playing near their best or having much of the ball.

Iran: Now or Never

Standings: 0-1, 0 points (4th Group B)
Previous Match: 6-2 L vs. England
Upcoming Match: Nov. 29th vs. USA

Iran’s World Cup started off in disastrous fashion as they fell behind 3-0 in the first half to England. In one half, they conceded more goals than they did in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. All of the goals were conceded after goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand went off with a reportedly serious concussion. His replacement Hossein Hosseini could start on Friday as Beiranvand is a major doubt for Friday’s match. Iran went on to concede three more goals in the second half in a frustrating 6-2 loss.

Just about the only positive from the match was Mehdi Taremi. Iran’s forward scored both of Team Melli’s goals and he’ll be a legitimate threat for the Wales defense. The Wales vs Iran betting odds tend to agree as Iran are priced -160 odds to score in the match. Iran had an abysmal 21 percent of the ball vs. England and folded vs. superior opposition. It was the first time Iran lost by four goals in 15 years.

Iran now have no leeway and need a result in this match. A loss will eliminate them from the competition, unless the USA vs. England match finishes in a draw. Carlos Queiroz has worked miracles before but the defense looked incredibly vulnerable on Monday.

Match Analysis and Odds:

The Wales vs Iran betting odds list Wales as ½-goal favorites. Their moneyline and ATS odds are the same, at +115. Wins have been hard to come by for Wales this year as they haven’t won any of their last six matches. Meanwhile, Iran sit at -135 odds to cover and get at least a draw in the match. It’s doubtful bettors will have too much confidence in them after their first match display. However, this is when we’ll find out what the team is made of with their backs firmly against the wall.

Iran also show +295 odds to win their third-ever World Cup match in 17 tries. Wales likely won’t be satisfied with another draw heading into their last match with England. Regardless, a deadlock comes in at +200 odds.

The over is implied to be slightly more likely, at -115 odds. Meanwhile, the under shows -105 odds

Neither of these teams are particularly high scoring. So, it’s not a huge surprise that the over/under goal total for the match is just two goals. The over is implied to be slightly more likely, at -115 odds. Meanwhile, the under shows -105 odds. Wales have scored in nine of their ten matches this year, though. Iran have only been shut out once in 2022 and at least they did get on the board vs. England. Whether their defense can handle Bale & Co. is a serious question.

When is the Wales vs Iran match at the FIFA World Cup?

Wales vs. Iran is being played at 5:00 a.m. EST on Friday, November 25th.

Who is Wales’ most famous player?

Former Real Madrid and Tottenham winger/forward Gareth Bale is the most famous player on the Welsh national team.

When was the last time Iran made the knockout stage at a World Cup?

Iran have never made it out of their group at a FIFA World Cup in five previous appearances.
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