On Tuesday, Groups A and B reach their conclusion with four matches in the Big Match Predictor. We look at the key stats, what every side needs to progress, and compare FIFA Rankings and World Cup pedigree.
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Group A: Netherlands vs Qatar (29/11, 5pm SAST)
Netherlands:
- Louis van Gaal's side is in strong form: WWWWD. They sit 8th in the latest FIFA World Rankings.
- The Netherlands had won every game in the World Cup since 1998 when they had taken a 1-0 lead, until Friday's 1-1 draw with Ecuador. They managed only two shots in the whole match.
- Winger Cody Gakpo has scored 16 goals and assisted a further 18 for his club PSV Eindhoven and his country this season. He has scored in both World Cup matches so far.
- The Dutch are unbeaten in their last 15 group matches at the World Cup, winning 11 of those and drawing four.
Qatar:
- Qatar have lost three of their last four matches, and their form reads: DLDLL. They sit 50th in the FIFA World Rankings, the lowest in their group.
- Mohammed Muntari scored Qatar's goal against Senegal, their first World Cup strike as they failed to net with any of their previous 11 efforts in two matches.
- Qatar are the first host nation to lose their first two matches. No host nation has ever conceded four goals in a group match, a record the Gulf State will want to avoid.
- Coach Felix Sanchez saw his side play better against Senegal than Ecuador: they had 45% possession and 10 shots.
Predicted Result: Netherlands WIN. It's hard to see anything besides a large scoreline.
Recommended Scoreline Options: 3-0 or 4-0.
Group A: Ecuador vs Senegal (29/11, 5pm SAST)
Ecuador:
- Gustavo Alfaro's side is proving hard to beat of late: DDDWD. They are placed 44th in the FIFA World Rankings.
- Ecuador dominated against the Netherlands in Friday's 1-1 draw. They outshot the Dutch 15-2 and had 1.68 expected goals to just 0.10 xG for Netherlands.
- Captain Enner Valencia netted his third goal of the tournament against the Dutch. He has scored Ecuador's last six goals at the World Cup.
- The South American side has lost just once in 17 fixtures and are four World Cup matches unbeaten. They just need a draw to progress to the last 16.
Senegal:
- Senegal sit 18th in the FIFA World Rankings. Their recent results have largely been good: WWDLW.
- After their 3-1 win over hosts Qatar on Friday, Senegal need a win here to qualify as a draw and a Netherlands win in the other match would see the Lions of Teranga finish third.
- Strikers Boulaye Dia and Famara Diedhiou both scored in Friday's win as coach Aliou Cisse switched to a 4-4-2 formation.
- Senegal had defensive issues in the second half against Qatar: they conceded just 0.03 expected goals in this first half but 0.92 xG after the break.
Predicted Result: DRAW. Ecuador have a solid defence and only need a draw to go through, so they may be quite defensive.
Recommended Scoreline Options: 1-1 or 0-0.
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Group B: Wales vs England (29/11, 9pm SAST)
Wales:
- Wales have lost and drawn their first two matches at the 2022 World Cup so far and their form reads: LLLDL. They find themselves in 19th place in the FIFA World Rankings.
- The Dragons had 62% of the ball in their 2-0 loss to Iran, but they only managed three shots on target and 0.89 expected goals.
- Gareth Bale became Wales' most-capped player against Iran, but he only managed one shot in the match and 36 touches in 90 minutes.
- Wales can only qualify if they beat England by four or more goals, or if they win and Iran-USA is a draw. They're winless in seven matches, though (lost five and drew two).
England:
- The Three Lions have been quite inconsistent of late, with their form reading: LLDWD. They are 5th in the World Rankings, according to FIFA.
- Captain Harry Kane is goalless in two matches so far. He did not have a shot against Iran and had two efforts vs USA, one blocked and one wide of the target.
- England will qualify for the round of 16 even if they lose this match, as long as it is by a three-goal margin or less.
- Gareth Southgate's team managed only eight shots against USA on Friday (three on target), their lowest in a World Cup match since 1990.
Predicted Result: England WIN. Wales have looked really poor in this tournament so far.
Recommended Scoreline Options: 2-0 or 3-1
Group B: Iran vs USA (29/11, 9pm SAST)
Iran:
- Iran bounced back from a 6-2 loss to England by beating Wales 2-0 on Friday. Their recent form reads: WDWLW.
- They are ranked 20th in the FIFA Rankings. They have scored four goals at this World Cup, double their previous best at a tournament (two goals).
- Carlos Queiroz's side were dominant against the Welsh as they had 21 shots with six efforts on target, despite having just 38% possession.
- After their win on Friday, Iran have now won just two of their last 11 matches at FIFA World Cups. They need a draw against USA to progress to the round of 16 (if Wales fail to beat England) at the sixth time of asking.
USA:
- Gregg Berhalter's USA sit 16th in the FIFA World Rankings. Their recent form reads: DLDDD.
- Key player Christian Pulisic impressed in the 0-0 draw with England. He hit the post from one of his four shots and attempted three dribbles.
- The US are without a win in their last five World Cup fixtures, losing two and drawing three.
- USA have to beat Iran to progress to the round of 16 as a draw could see them finish third or fourth in the group.
Predicted Result: USA WIN. The Americans outplayed an England side who beat Iran 6-2.
Recommended Scoreline Options: 2-1 or 3-1
