Iran vs USA Predictions: World Cup Group Stage Odds & Best Bets

In one of the final matches of the Group B Group Stage play, Iran and the United States face off. This match will take place at 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Al Thumama Stadium.

IR Iran qualified for its third straight World Cup and fifth overall appearance. Team Melli will look to make a run and attempt to get out of the Group Stage for the first time in their history.

The United States return to World Cup play after missing out in 2018. The Stars and Stripes are second-favored in the group to make it to the Round of 16 behind England and ahead of Wales.

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Neither team is anywhere near the top in terms of winning the World Cup, with Iran ranking 30th (+50000) and USA ranking 16th (+10000). However, to qualify for the Round of 16, Iran are (+275) while the United States are (+100).

Can Iran pull off the upset to close out the Group Stage? Or will the United States secure a win heading into the Round of 16?

Let’s take a look at the current odds and best bets to make for this matchup.

Iran vs USA Odds

• 3-Way Handicap: Iran (+300) | Draw (+240) | England (-105)
• Draw No Bet: Iran (+180) | USA (-250)
• Over/Under Goals: Over 2.5 (+110) | Under 2.5 (-155)

Iran vs USA odds are current as of Friday, Nov. 18, from BetMGM Sportsbook unless otherwise noted.

The United States are the favorites heading into this match, but not by much. Both teams don’t boast prolific scoring, so oddsmakers have the Over at plus-odds.

Iran vs USA Prediction

Iran 0-2 USA

Having led Team Melli to the World Cup in 2014 and 2018, manager Carlos Queiroz took over after Iran had already qualified. Since his return to the team, he has led them to a 2-1-0 record.

Leading the charge upfront for Iran are forwards Sardar Azmoun, Karim Ansarifard, and Mehdi Taremi. The trio have plenty of experience at the national level, combining for 219 caps, and they’ve contributed five goals and one assist in 2022.

Iran only has two players that compete for a club in one of Europe’s five major leagues - Azmoun for Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga) and Saman Ghoddos for Brentford (Premier League). Most recently, midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh played for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League in 2021.

Unlike Team Melli, the Stars and Stripes currently have 13 players playing for top-flight clubs in the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, and Ligue 1. The crop of players are headlined by captain Christian Pulisic, who leads the roster with 21 goals.

The United States head into the World Cup with one of the youngest rosters, as only three players are above the age of 30 (Tim Ream, Sean Johnson, and Aaron Long). Along with that, the Stars and Stripes only have one player that has appeared in a World Cup match before (DeAndre Yedlin).

Even with the little experience the United States have, they’re still favored to make it out of Group B and into the Round of 16 due to their talent across the board.

This match won’t be easy for the United States, but they’ll ultimately walk away with the victory over Iran.

Iran vs USA Betting Tips

• Iran and USA have only played against one another twice in their history, with Iran winning the series 1-1-0.
• The last time these two teams played each other was in Jan. 2000, when they drew 1-1 in an international friendly.
• The other match was in the 1998 World Cup, where Iran won 2-1 in Group Stage play.
• Iran has a 2-4-9 all-time World Cup record, having been outscored by opponents 9-24.
• The United States have an 8-6-19 record in World Cup play, having been outscored 37-62.
• Iran have played well in 2022, having a 5-1-2 record and outscored opponents 8-5.
• The United States have also played well this year, going 5-4-3 and outscoring opponents 18-8.

Iran vs USA Best Bets

➕ USA to Win and Under 2.5 Combined Goals (+290) at BetMGM Sportsbook

WAGER: 1 Unit

A berth into the Round of 16 could be on the line in this match, so both sides will be coming out firing on all cylinders. However, the United States will come out on top in this match, as they’re the much better squad.

Iran has some good pieces that could do damage, but they’ll struggle against the Stars and Stripes. The United States will keep Team Melli at bay, holding them scoreless, thus hitting the Under in goals.

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