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World Cup 2022: The win-and-advance scenario is simple for the USMNT on Tuesday

Nick Bromberg
·College football and motorsports writer
·3-min read

Welcome to the final round of group stage games at the 2022 World Cup. After each of the first two sets of games were staggered all throughout the day, the final games of the group stage rounds are played in two windows.

Each group's games happen at the same time so teams don't have an advance notice of what they have to do to move on to the knockout round. Playing second can be a significant advantage in a group format like this.

Group A goes first on Tuesday while the United States and Group B are in the afternoon window. Here's what you need to know to bet Tuesday's games. And if you're looking for the knockout-round scenarios for each team, click here.

Group A standings

1. Ecuador, 4 points

2. Netherlands, 4 points

3. Senegal, 3 points

4. Qatar, 0 points

Odds to win Group A

  • Netherlands (-450)

  • Ecuador (+333)

  • Senegal (+1400)

Odds to finish top 2 in Group A

  • Netherlands (-20000)

  • Ecuador (-300)

  • Senegal (+175)

Ecuador vs. Senegal (over/under 2.5 goals)

10 a.m. ET

  • Ecuador to win (+140)

  • Senegal to win (+210)

  • Tie (+210)

Ecuador is into the knockout rounds with a win or tie while Senegal advances with a win and essentially needs the win to advance. If you’re looking to bet Senegal, take the win at +210 over the advancement odds at +175. Qatar isn’t beating the Netherlands by enough to get Senegal into the second round with a tie. We’re fascinated to see how Ecuador plays this game knowing two of the three possible outcomes are good enough. Let’s go with a Senegal upset.

Netherlands vs. Qatar (3.5)

10 a.m. ET

  • Netherlands to win (-550)

  • Qatar to win (+1300)

  • Tie (+575)

Netherlands wins the group if it wins and has a better goal differential than Ecuador if Ecuador also wins. Given how Qatar has looked so far this tournament, we’re confident in a Netherlands win and a group victory, so pick the group win over the win straight up.

Weston McKennie of the United States controls the ball during the World Cup group B soccer match between England and The United States, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor , Qatar, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Can Weston McKennie and the USMNT get the three points they need on Tuesday to advance to the knockout rounds of the 2022 World Cup? (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Group B standings

1. England, 4 points

2. Iran, 3 points

3. United States, 2 points

4. Wales, 1 point

Odds to win Group B

  • England (-1000)

  • United States (+800)

  • Iran (+1100)

  • Wales (+10000)

Odds to finish top 2 in Group B

  • Iran (-110)

  • United States (-110)

  • Wales (+1800)

Iran vs. United States

2 p.m. ET

  • Iran to win (+280)

  • United States to win (+100)

  • Tie (+230)

Given that the U.S. men's national team has to win to advance to the second round, you should be taking the win straight up here over the worse odds to advance to the second round if you think the USMNT is going to get the win. We think so too — this team didn’t show any fear against England and an early goal on Tuesday will be a huge boost.

Wales vs. England

2 p.m. ET

  • Wales to win (+675)

  • England to win (-225)

  • Tie (+340)

Wales will be without goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey after his red card late in the loss to Iran. England is essentially assured a place in the second round — it’s why you can’t bet on England to advance — but a win means a likely game against Ecuador or Senegal in the second round and not the Netherlands. We’ll take England to win.