Wales v England Tips: Pressure mounts as Kane hopes to spearhead group victory

Everything was going swimmingly for England after they dismantled Iran, but a lacklustre 0-0 draw with the USA means they need to refocus ahead of Tuesday’s crunch match with Wales.

It’s a fixture that has been played out over a 100 times since their first meeting way back in 1879, and to say that the Three Lions have been dominant would be an understatement.

England, who won the first meeting 2-1, have won another 68 total matches between the two nations and have lost on just 14 occasions. You have to go back to 1984 for the last time that Wales got anything from a game against their neighbours, and they have scored just once in the six defeats that have followed. 

This is a World Cup full of surprises, though. Saudi Arabia, Japan and Costa Rica have shown that to be the case, but Gareth Southgate and his determined troops will be eager to make sure that the Dragons don’t join that list.

Look out for goals

We have seen more 0-0 full-time results than we would have liked in Qatar so far – already more than the entire 2018 World Cup, in fact – but history suggests that this fixture has got goals in it. 

England netted six times against Iran, who got on the scoresheet twice against Wales, so on that basis it’s no surprise that Southgate’s side is the hot favourite to win (1.45).

In the post-war era there have only been four 0-0 draws between these two sides, hence the inflated odds (14.5) for that scoreline. And, despite the disappointment against the US, the smart money is probably still on a comfortable England victory as they go into the game wanting to finish the group in first place and on a high. For many fans, the pressure is on the performance as much as the result.

Harry Kane in the hunt 

He’s got to get off the mark in Qatar at some point, you’d think! Harry Kane is just two goals away from equalling Wayne Rooney’s record as England’s all-time top goalscorer, and there’s no doubt he would love nothing more than to set a new record while at the World Cup.

Harry Kane: will look to score against Wales on Tuesday

You can get him at odds of 2 to be an anytime goalscorer against Rob Page’s side and, considering he’s the penalty-taker, that could be a decent shout. There are eight England players above the first Welsh name (Gareth Bale at 3.65) on the list of anytime scorers, which shows attacking dominance. 

Cymru am byth 

Page’s boys are playing for pride, and they know that only a victory would be enough to reach the knockout stages of the tournament. 

Even a win – unless it’s by four or more goals, which has never happened – wouldn’t be enough unless Iran and the USA play out a draw, but there will certainly be a desire to make life difficult for their English rivals. 

On the face of it, though, Kane and company should have too much for a Welsh outfit that have only kept two clean sheets in their last 15 games.

England v USA Tips

England to win and over 2.5 goals @ 2.3
Harry Kane anytime goalscorer @ 2