Do the Three Lions despair of Iran’s defensive tactics?
According to the current FIFA World Ranking, Group B is a group of death, as all four teams are in the top 25 of the FIFA World Ranking. Nevertheless, the roles seem to be relatively clearly distributed. There is one big favourite, two teams on a par and one outsider. In the first group match, the favourite meets the underdog – the World Cup match is England versus Iran. A tip on the home side is obvious here, not even a 1.40 is offered for the Southgate eleven.
The foursome in Group B is completed by England’s neighbours Wales and Iran’s arch-enemy USA. Although Southgate’s team remained winless in the Nations League, a full success against the team from Persia is not in doubt. While a look at the English squad makes the heart of every football fan beat faster, Iran is, with a few exceptions, a pure no-name team. If the crisis of the English continues in the World Cup opener, this would definitely be a surprise. Looking at the betting odds on offer between England and Iran, a prediction on an Iranian goal is already associated with great risk.
England – Statistics & current form
The Three Lions undoubtedly possess the highest quality in this group, but have yet to prove it in the autumn of 2022 internationals. Recent results have been disappointing and many fans would have liked to see Gareth Southgate replaced before the start of the World Cup. In the UEFA Nations League, the England side did indeed go winless, with three draws and three defeats in six matches. This was tantamount to relegation from the top Nations League.
Convincing qualification with 36 goals
This poor international campaign was by no means a foregone conclusion as England presented themselves in captivating form on the road to Qatar. In ten qualifying matches, England remained unbeaten and collected 26 points out of a possible 30. The attack around the 2018 World Cup top scorer Harry Kane scored no less than 36 times. The defence was also solid and conceded just four goals. This is England’s 16th appearance at the World Cup finals (seven in a row).
Players such as Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka or Jack Grealish stand for concentrated attacking power, but Southgate rarely plays offensively despite the 36 qualifying goals. For the former defender, controlled play is a priority and no offensive spectacle is needed. This boring style of play does not go down well in the motherland of football and if “Football is coming home” does not become a reality in 2022, Southgate may soon be out of a coaching job.
Due to Southgate’s philosophy and also Iran’s performances, you can expect the Three Lions to have what feels like 80 per cent possession in this match. Against deep opponents, the ball will be circulated, but there will not be many goals. Efficiency in front of the opponent’s goal is all the more important. Hopes will rest on Harry Kane, who scored five of his six goals in the group stage at the 2018 World Cup. Bet365 is offering odds of around 1.90 for a Kane goal between England and Iran.
Predicted England line-up:
Ramsdale – Dier, Maguire, Stones – Shaw, Rice, Bellingham, Saka – Sterling, Foden – Kane
Last matches played by England:
UEFA Nations League A Grp. 3
27/09/2022 – England 3 – 3 Germany
24/09/2022 – Italy 1 – 0 England
15/06/2022 – England 0 – 4 Hungary
12/06/2022 – England 0 – 0 Italy
08/06/2022 – Germany 1 – 1 England
Iran – Statistics & current form
For the third time in a row, Iran have qualified for the World Cup and have been in superb form. Nevertheless, the Iranian federation made a coaching change shortly before the start of the World Cup. Dragan Skocic was relieved of his duties despite 15 wins in 18 international matches (15-1-2 record). His successor is also his predecessor. Portuguese Carlos Queiroz, long Sir Alex Ferguson’s right-hand man, returned to Team Melli. He was already in charge of the Iranian selection between 2011 and 2019.
Defensive showpiece
Iran’s style of play has not changed during his absence, and the Persian side relies on a ferociously strong defence in particular. In qualifying, Iran conceded just four goals in ten matches (eight wins, one draw, one defeat). The basic formation is normally a defensively oriented 4-5-1 system. The current number 20 in the FIFA world rankings will not have much interest in playing football themselves. Own possession phases will be a rarity, instead the team should move forward quickly after winning the ball.
Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, who holds the world record for the longest clearance, will play an important role in the transition game. But even otherwise, the Iranians’ game is relatively one-dimensional and the ball goes forward quickly and far. Leverkusen striker Sardar Azmoun (41 goals in 65 internationals) has been missing from the works eleven for the last ten competitive matches, but is now in the squad. Against England, however, he will only make one wild card appearance at most. Instead, Mehdi Taremi from FC Porto will start up front. Taremi is also the only player in the Iranian selection who can be attested international class.
With their very destructive style of play, they try to wear down opponents with a strong game. High defeats are very rare due to the style of play, but so are own goal successes. Iran has scored only nine goals in 15 World Cup finals so far. In the last two World Cups, Iran even scored only ten goals in six matches. Between England and Iran, betting on England to win without conceding is an interesting betting option.
Predicted line-up of Iran:
Beiranvand – Mohammadi, Hosseini, Pouraliganji, Moharrami – Cheshmi, Ezatolahi – Amiri, Hajsati, Jahanbaksh – Taremi
Last matches played by Iran:
Friendly matches
16/11/2022 – Iran 0 – 2 Tunisia
10/11/2022 – Iran 1 – 0 Nicaragua
27/09/2022 – Senegal 1 – 1 Iran
23/09/2022 – Iran 1 – 0 Uruguay
13/06/2022 – Iran 1 – 2 Algeria
England – Iran Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
The Three Lions from the motherland of football and Iran will face each other for the first time on the first matchday of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Iran have yet to win against European teams at the World Cup in eight previous encounters (two draws, six defeats).
England – Iran bet
Whoever makes a prediction on head coach Ricardo Queiroz’s Team Melli between England and Iran is taking a big risk. The England side have disappointed in recent internationals, but the difference in quality is huge and cannot be dismissed. With the available player material, England are basically among the favourites for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
It is doubtful whether they will be able to hit the big time in view of Southgate’s boring philosophy, because the defence with Harry Maguire & Co is certainly weaker than the attack. Against Iran, however, the Three Lions should have no problems at all, because the underdogs will hardly try to take part in the game themselves. England will have to show patience, but in the end they should manage to win. For more interesting odds between England and Iran, the tip on “England to 0” with five units is recommended. The offensively weak Iran is not expected to score a goal
