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Wales and Iran will kick off round 2 of the FIFA World Cup by competing against each other at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium. Both teams failed to secure three points in their opening matches. Though Iran suffered far worse results on match day one when they conceded six against England. Wales on the other hand salvaged a point when they came from behind to level the match against the USA in the 82nd minute.

With that said, both teams are more than desperate to secure a win to ease their way to the next phase of the competition. Wales’ next opponent after Iran is England who, for them, will be next to an impossible task to take the three points from. On the other hand, for the Iranians, too, going head to head with Wales, is a matter of all or nothing.

Even, in theory, the match between Wales and Iran should be a strenuous competition as the teams are placed next to one another in the FIFA ranking with the European sides at 19th and Team Melli just a place behind them.

Wales vs Iran: How Will The Match Go?

Knowing that both the draw and loss will leave them overly vulnerable, Wales and Iran are certain to go all out on each other.

Wales is definitely to capitalize on the wounded and demotivated Iranians with an intent to hurt them more than one time and for the majority period, the European sides are going to give mini to big scares to Team Melli, especially until the 1st half-hour mark.

While Wales is the marginally rooted team to prevail against Iran, the duel is also predicted to end with a tie. In fact, Iran might be fortunate on a number of occasions given the fact that Wales squandered enough openings in their first match against the USA.

Whatever the case the game has significantly less chance to get a dominating performance from one side only, especially in terms of goal scoring. Both the teams are naturally defensive-minded sides which are only going to get more extreme considering the gravity of their clash. Considering the low-scoring possibility, the match is also extremely hard to predict. It very well may be the second half when the match will get its peak intensity.

Nevertheless, Wales is the better side on paper and should be having an upper hand against the Asian team.

Wales vs Iran: Our Prediction; The Match Might End In A Draw

Iran will be entering the field against Wales with anything but the poor form with which they played against England. Taremi’s quality in the front can facilitate Iran with a few or two clutch moments, especially against the inexperienced defense of Wales. However, if that happens, Iran also seems less probable to keep the lead all the way till the final whistle.

Both teams are almost similar with respect to rankings, stats, recent forms, and all. Having said that, analysts have hesitated to label Wales as such a definite favorite.

While Bale is lethal and he doesn’t need that many chances to convert but the theory didn’t work against the USA and the European sides are likely to have little to no clear-cut chances now that they are facing an even more compact backline.

Expected Scoreline: Wales 1-1 Iran

Wales Vs Iran Prediction By Numbers

Bet 365 has provided Wales the odds of 11/10 (2.10) to stop Iran from taking any points in round two of the FIFA World Cup 2022. Wales by comparison has been given the numeric toss-up of 11/4 (3.75) to get their first win in the ongoing competition. The possibility of a draw is being seen on 9/4 (3.25).

Former Real Madrid forward and five-time UCL winner, Gareth Bale who scored a penalty for Wales in their match against the USA is the favorite to open up the scoreline at 15/4 (4.75). The next likeliest scorer, Keiffer Moore is also from Wales, odds 11/2 (6.50).

For the Dragons, Kieffer Moore should be a must given how his entry in the first minute of the game’s second half against the USA impacted the overall strength of Wales.

Wales Forms In The Last Ten Matches

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Iran Forms In The Last Ten Matches

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Projected Lineups

Wales: Hennessey; Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Roberts, Ramsey, Morrell, Williams; Bale, Moore, James

Iran: Hosseini; Mohammadi, Hosseini, Pouraliganji, Moharrami; Amiri, Safi, Karimi, Nourollahi, Jahanbaksh; Taremi