HAVING not qualified for the World Cup since 1958, Wales will mark their return to the greatest show on earth when they meet the USA on Monday night.
The Dragons will be fired by self-belief and memories from their magical run to the European Championship semi-finals in 2016 and they can also draw inspiration from the fact they emerged from the group stage at last year's rearranged Euros.
Rob Page's side will have ambitions of reaching at least the first knockout round in Qatar and it would appear that they are gearing up for battle with both the USA and Iran for second place behind Group B favourites England.
As such, Wales will have earmarked their section opener with USA as one where avoiding defeat is crucial if they are to plot their way out of this pool.
After missing out on a place at the 2018 World Cup – their first absence since 1986 – the USA will be hoping to replicate their 2014 and 2010 efforts by reaching the last-16.
Gregg Berhalter has a squad made up of players who ply their trade across most of Europe's top leagues, yet the Stars and Stripes' form in CONCACAF qualifying would suggest that they will need to be on-guard to avoid an early exit.
Outright Betting
The bookmakers are finding it hard to separate the teams with USA narrow favourites at 151/100 (Highbet) while a share of the spoils at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium pays 189/100 (Highbet).
Wales, who have failed to beat USA in each of the previous two meetings between the nations, enter their first World Cup match in 64 years as 189/100 (Highbet) outsiders.
Betting Angles
While many are anticipating a cagey clash between these two sides, it may pay to go against the grain and take a value price by backing Both Teams to Score at 23/20 (Highbet).
Although Wales arrive in the Middle East in the midst of some mixed form, the attacking threat that they carry has seen them score in 11 of their last 12 competitive contests.
That sample of fixtures includes home and away games against both Belgium and Netherlands so they are certainly capable of carving out scoring opportunities against a USA side that have been hot and cold at best under Gregg Berhalter's guidance
That being said, the Welsh have demonstrated a fairly regular inability to keep the back door shut in recent times, with Rob Page's rearguard registering just one clean sheet across their last nine meaningful matches.
With a talented squad at their disposal, the Stars and Stripes could have the tools to unlock the Dragons' defence too however, and that in turn makes the 23/20 (Highbet) on both teams to score an appealing play.
BTTS has paid out in eight of Wales' last 10 matches across Nations League and World Cup qualifying, so in terms of the odds, there could be a spot of value in siding a repeat at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
With this in mind, I'm also going to have a small play in the Correct Score market with the 1-1 looking like a nice scoreline to cheer on at 11/2 (Highbet) given that a stalemate would give both sides a shot of getting out of Group B.
Elsewhere, USA left-back Antonee Robinson – who has been cautioned in four of his 13 Premier League appearances for Fulham this season (including two of his last four outings for the Cottagers) – looks a big price at 5/1 (Bet 365) to be booked considering his direct opponent is likely to be Wales superstar Gareth Bale.
This World Cup match between USA and Wales will be played on Nov 21, 2022 and kick off at 19:00. Check below for our tipsters best USA vs Wales prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
