The 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Sunday as the world turns their attention to the biggest spectacle on the planet. With fans across the world backing their national teams, we focus on four clashes with stats to help make your predictions.
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Group A: Qatar v Ecuador (20/11, 6pm SAST)
Qatar:
- Qatar's FIFA ranking is 50th, the third-lowest in the tournament. Their current form is WDDLD
- Sudan-born forward Almoez Ali is a key man having scored in the 2019 Asia Cup final
- To date, no host nation has lost the opening match of a World Cup.
- Qatar won the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, beating South Korea and Japan in the semis and final
Ecuador:
- Ecuador sit 44th in the FIFA World Rankings and their current form reads DWDDD
- The national team features three players from Brighton Hove Albion including outstanding midfielder Moises Caicedo.
- Ecuador have drawn eight of their last 11 matches and have kept six clean sheets in a row.
- The South American nation has participated in three previous World Cups, making it to the Round of 16 in 2006.
Predicted Result: DRAW. A tight match is in store with Qatar capable of taking a point.
Recommended Score-line Options: 0-0 or 1-1.
Group B: England v Iran (21/11, 3pm SAST)
England:
- The Three Lions are ranked 5th in the world. Their recent form reads DDLLD.
- Captain Harry Kane has 51 goals for his country. Man Utd's fourth choice centre back, Harry Maguire will start.
- England have won none of their last six matches, failing to score in four of those.
- England haven't progressed to the final in their nine World Cups since lifting the crown in 1966.
Iran:
- Carlos Queiroz's team sit 20th in FIFA World Rankings. Their current form is as follows: WLWDW
- Iran are a team of workhorses with quality up front provided by Sardar Azmoun of Bayer Leverkusen and Porto's Mehdi Taremi.
- Iran won 12 of their last 14 World Cup qualifiers in the Asia section.
- Iran have qualified for three successive World Cups but never made the knockout stages.
Predicted Result: England WIN. They may struggle to break down Iran, but Gareth Southgate's team should have enough to take three points.
Recommended Score-lines: 1-0 or 2-0 to England
Group A: Senegal v Netherlands (21/11, 6pm SAST)
Senegal:
- The Lions of Teranga are 18th in the FIFA World Rankings with their current form reading LWWWD.
- Bayern Munich's Sadio Mane has been ruled out with injury. Chelsea's Kalidou Koulibaly is a key man at the back.
- Senegal won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and have lost just once in 17 World Cup qualifiers.
- Senegal have played in two previous World Cups. They made the quarter-finals in 2002.
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Netherlands:
- The Oranje are 8th in the FIFA World Rankings. WDWWW is their recent form guide.
- Louis Van Gaal's side has Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk leading their defence. FC Barcelona duo Memphis Depay and Frenkie De Jong are key down the spine of the team.
- The Netherlands are unbeaten in their last 15 matches. They have scored two or more goals in 11 of their last 14 matches.
- The Dutch have never won the World Cup and have lost three finals, most recently in 2010.
Predicted Result: Netherlands WIN.
Recommended Score-lines: 2-1 or 3-1 to the Netherlands. Sadio Mane is a big loss for Senegal.
Group B: USA v Wales (21/11, 9pm SAST)
USA:
- Gregg Berhalter's team are ranked 16th in the world. Their recent form is DWDLD.
- Juventus' Weston McKennie is key in midfield. The star of the team is certainly Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic.
- USA have won just once in their last five matches, failing to score in three of those.
- USMNT failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. They made it to the Round of 16 in 2010 and 2014.
Wales:
- Wales sit 19th in the FIFA World Rankings, three places below USA. Their recent form is a concern: LDLLL
- The Welsh will rely on Gareth Bale up front. He scored three goals in the playoffs and plays his club football in the USA.
- Wales lost five of their six matches in the recent 2022 UEFA Nations League.
- Rob Page's side are playing their first World Cup in 64 years. They did reach the Euro 2016 semi-finals though.
Predicted Result: Wales WIN. Gareth Bale scored in the recent MLS Cup Final and could haunt the country where he plays his club football.
Recommended Score-lines: 2-1 or 3-2 to Wales
