Wales and England meet in an all-important game of British rivalry at the 2022 World Cup. England needs to avoid defeat to make it to the latter stages while Wales have to win to stand a chance.
The Three Lions failed to secure early qualification because of a goalless stalemate against the USA whereas Wales disappointed in the 2-0 loss to Iran.
WAL vs ENG Match Details
Date: Tuesday, 29 November 2022 / Wednesday, 30 November 2022
Time: 22:00 (AST) / 00:30 (IST)
Venue: Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
WAL vs ENG Match Preview
Coach Rob Page termed the performance of Wales as unacceptable after the loss against Iran in the second group stage game. He could not have put it better as the Dragons did not show up for the entire game. Iran created the most of the opportunities including hitting the woodwork twice and ultimately broke the deadlock when Wayne Hennessey’s mad rush out of his goal to foul Mehdi Taremi earned him a straight red after a VAR review. In the eighth minute of stoppage time, substitute Roozbeh Cheshmi scored a long ranger before Ramin Rezaeian chipped over the replacement keeper Danny Ward led Wales players to collapse to their ground. If the plan was to gain a point out of the match similar to the first game against the United States, it did not work. The style of play hardly allowed Aaron Ramsey or Gareth Bale to show their genius. Now, Wales have to do it all against an opposition they wanted to avoid to heighten their stakes prior to the tournament. While England have a relatively easy route to name themselves among the six qualifying nations from the group stages, Rob Page’s men must beat the Three Lions and hope the game between USA and Iran ends in a draw. Any other result resulting in Team Meli or the Star and the Stripes will force the Cymrus to not only win but with a four goal margin. A situation they will wish not to get into.
It was also not rosy for Gareth Southgate’s men in their last game with the 0-0 draw against the United States putting a dent in the joy of the 6-2 win over Iran in the opening game. England looked utterly different lacking the attacking tooth from the first. They only managed eight shots without troubling the USA defense as much as they would have liked. The pace of the opposition caused them problems early then they settled down without any impact whatsoever. Christian Pulisic striking the crossbar in the first half was the only notable moment in the game. The performance might have been dull but Gareth Southgate will be happy with four points earned from two games. That means England only have to quieten Wales in the final group-stage game to advance to the next round. However, the Three Lions have to approach the game professionally and bring more consistency in their steps. It is not the same scenario as in the group stages of the 2018 World Cup when England finished their job with one game to spare. Still, a draw will be enough for them to progress. The aim will be to finish first and avoid the likes of the Netherlands in Group A with Ecuador or Senegal more likely option in the last 16 on paper at least. This will be the 104th meeting between the side but the very first in the World Cup. England will be more optimistic having won each of the last six encounters. That includes a 2-1 success in Euro 2016 in the last major tournament meeting.
WAL vs ENG Team News
Danny Ward will begin for Wales in between the sticks after Wayne Hennessey received his marching orders for a rough challenge on Mehdi Taremi in the defeat against Iran. Midfielder Joe Allen returned from his injury to feature in the second group stage as a substitute and has to reprise his role here as well. Rob Page intends to change his formation from the defensively racked 3-5-2, allowing Daniel James to start alongside Kieffer Moore and Gareth Bale. There are no other changes expected in the lineup.
Check here Wales’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile and FIFA World Cup 2022: Wales - World Cup Records and Stats
Gareth Southgate has told he will take fitness and freshness to determine the starting eleven for the final group game. At the same time, he does not want to make many changes either. One acceptable one can happen at the right-back spot with Kyle Walker's return to fitness. He could also slot in a back-three but Southgate is unlikely to go in that direction against Wales’s less attacking threat. Kieran Trippier has to make way for this despite producing decent performances so far.
Check here England’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile and FIFA World Cup 2022: England - World Cup Records and Stats
WAL vs ENG Predicted Lineups
WAL: Danny Ward; Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon, Ben Davies; Connor Roberts, Aaron Ramsey, Ethan Ampadu, Nico Williams; Gareth Bale, Kieffer Moore, Daniel James
ENG: Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling; Harry Kane
WAL vs ENG Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Pickford (8)
DEF: Wiliams (8), Maguire (7.5), B Davies (9), Shaw (8)
MID: Saka (9), Bellingham (8.5), James (8.5)
FW: Bale (9), Kane (9), Sterling (8.5)
Vice-captain: Gareth Bale
Captain: Harry Kane
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