Evaluating USA's World Cup Odds in the Group Stage
Despite the disappointing loss to Japan in the first of these matches, it's still exciting to see the final glimpses of what the team will look like before the World Cup begins in November.
Americans will have high hopes for the team representing their country in the tournament for the first time since 2014. The excitement is already forming, with supporters looking to get their bets in and many US sportsbooks offering bonuses for the World Cup.
The group stage in particular will be interesting for the Americans as they have a real chance of getting a couple of wins to advance and they face England in a match that will undoubtedly draw some eyeballs.
With that, let’s evaluate the US men’s national team’s odds in the group stage.
USA Odds to win Group B - +550 (2nd)
The bookmakers, with good reason, have England as heavy favorites to win Group B, slotting in the Three Lions at -350. This places them evenly with Brazil as the biggest favorites to win their respective groups. On the other hand, the US is relatively narrowly placed ahead of Wales (+600) for second place in Group B.
This seems like a fair projection, as England obviously has the most talented squad in the group.
USA Odds to qualify from Group B - +100 (2nd)
American fans should be encouraged to see that oddsmakers seem to be confident that the Yanks will be able to snag a second-place position to qualify ahead of Wales, albeit narrowly. Wales has +115 odds, making this one a dead-heat to finish behind England and advance to the Round of 16.
USA (+155) vs. Wales (+200) or Draw (+200)
All that being said, the first game the US plays may very well be their most important of the group stage. Facing off against Gareth Bale and Wales, if a team manages to get three points in this one, it will put them in prime position to qualify for the next round.
The line on this is incredibly even, with not much room separating the two sides.
England (-145) vs. USA (+425) or Draw (+260)
When England and the US were drawn into the same group, the hype surrounding this match-up started to build immediately. One of the few times that the US can be considered a David facing off against a goliath, the US-England match on November 25th will probably be the most watched game of the group stage stateside.
England is the heavy favorite in this one as well, as they will probably coast through this group. It presents a challenge for Berhalter’s team, but this could be a chance to steal a point against a team that they should lose to. If the US manages to get a draw against England, it would massively help them advance.
Iran (+230) vs. USA (+120) or Draw (+230)
The one game that the US needs to and should win is against Iran. Iran is the longest shot to advance from this group, with +400 odds, and the US is pretty heavily favored in the match-up.
This is the final game that the US plays in the group stage, and it could make or break their tournament hopes. Fumbling the three points here could result in a disappointing exit from the World Cup.
Odds via BetMG