FIFA Qatar World Cup: USA vs. England- Predictions, Picks and Team News

The second round of the games at the FIFA Qatar World Cup is upon us. The first game week was a mixed bag for a soccer fan with surprises, upsets, dull draws, and wonder goals. USMNT is playing in the World Cup after missing out on qualification the last time around. They drew with Gareth Bale’s Wales side in a 1-1 thriller in Al-Rayyan. They will now face England, who destroyed Asian giants Iran in their opening game. The English side went all guns blazing and scored six goals past the spirited Iranian side.

The USMNT vs. England game has been among the most awaited fixture in the soccer World Cup. England will be full of confidence in their 2nd game. USMNT, however, will have a point to prove against England and will be under immense pressure to grab all three points.

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The USMNT roster is among the youngest ones in the ongoing competition. Meanwhile, England is the 2020 Euro runners-up and boasts a team blended with youth and experience. It’ll be an interesting match-up with so much hype around the fixture.

Team specifics of USMNT

USMNT has been boosted by the news of Weston McKennie Yunus Musah’s return to the team after their fitness issues from the Wales game. The midfield duo started alongside Tyler Adams in the last game but was substituted in the 2nd half. They should be fit to retain their places alongside the Leeds’ midfield maestro.

The midfield trio will be playing ahead of the CB duo of Tim Ream and Walker Zimmerman. Ream’s Fulham teammate Antonee Robinson should be able to retain his place at the left-back position with AC Milan’s Sergiño Dest starting on the right. Arsenal’s Matt Turner has an upper hand over Horvath and Johnson and should start as GK. However, the lineup is expected to be unchanged with Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, and Joshua Sargent starting up front.

As for England, the fitness update of Harry Kane will be a big relief. All players are available for selection for Gareth Southgate, and he could name the same lineup as the one against Iran. Harry Maguire and John Stones could start as the CBs ahead of Everton’s Jordan Pickford. Luke Shaw and Kieran Trippier can accompany them at the back as fullbacks.

Mason Mount, Jude Bellingham, and Declan Rice could retain their places in the midfield behind the trio of Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, and Raheem Sterling.

Expected Lineups

USMNT: Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, Ream, Robinson; McKennie, Adams, Musah; Weah, Sargent, Pulisic

England: Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Bellingham, Rice, Mount; Saka, Kane, Sterling.

USA vs England Head to Head at the FIFA World Cups

The two teams haven’t faced each other much in the soccer world cup. This will only be their 3rd game against each other in the FIFA World Cup. The USA has an upper hand when it comes to head-to-head in the FIFA mega-event. They have won once and drawn the 2nd fixture between the two sides.

FIFA World Cup 1950: England 0-1 USA

FIFA World Cup 2010: England 1-1 USA

USA vs England at FIFA 2022 WC: Predictions

It has been more than 12 years since the two sides locked horns in the FIFA World Cup. A lot has changed since then. England has gone on to assemble a top roster, while the USA missed out on the 2018 World Cup. However, the USMNT also has a young roster and could build on the future.

England has been in top form coming in the 2nd game. With Harry Kane fit for the fixture, they would be a force to reckon with for the USMNT. We predict a 2-1 win in favor of England in Al Khor.

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What are your predictions for the USMNT vs England game? Let us know in the comment section below.