2022 FIFA World Cup Odds, Picks & Predictions: Bets for Qatar vs. Ecuador, USA vs. Wales, Plus a Parlay

Find the World Cup betting picks and predictions OddsJam’s soccer expert @NorthSideCapper is locking in for Matchday 1 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

World Cup 2022 Bets Matchday 1

Qatar vs. Ecuador Pick: Qatar +0.25 | -120 at DraftKings

Sunday, Nov. 20 | 11 a.m. ET

And here we go! This tournament feels wrong and odd in so many ways — the timing being one of them. For the first time, the World Cup will be played in November, putting domestic leagues across the globe at a complete standstill to allow the world’s best to partake in the most recent edition of the biggest tournament.

Qatar will kick off the festivities against Ecuador as hosts in what should be an interesting and potentially thrilling encounter. Coach Felix Sanchez has a big task at hand in preparing his players (none of which have participated in a World Cup) for what is to come in front of a rocking Al Bayt Stadium.

As hosts, their qualification was sealed upon the tournament being awarded, and thus they played a number of friendlies to prepare as much as possible for the big show. In fairness to Sanchez and the Qatar National Team, they have been impressive — six wins from their last 10 — failing to score only twice (2-0 loss to the Croatia U23 team and another 2-0 loss to Canada).

The true question heading into the tournament will be if their wins against the likes of Albania, Panama, Honduras, etc. will translate to stronger competition.

Ecuador makes their return to the World Cup after an eight-year absence. In earning their way to the World Cup, they put forth an extremely impressive Qualification run finishing in fourth place behind Brazil, Argentina, and a mere 2 points behind third-placed Uruguay.

The biggest strength that Ecuador should be able to take advantage of is their defensive backline. Only two teams conceded less than Ecuador (19 Goals Against) in the South American Qualifiers (Brazil and Argentina). When considering their road form heading in the tournament — which was average at best — one win from their last five competitive matches on the road and two from their previous 10 in total will leave some concerns amongst the Ecuador fans playing in what should be a hostile crowd.

This match truly can go either way, but with Qatar at home and an ability to score the ball, we expect the home crowd to get behind them and carry the hosts to a minimum of a single point against what has been an impressive Ecuador team during the Qualifiers.

USA vs. Wales Pick: Wales +0.25 | -135 at DraftKings

Monday, Nov. 21 | 2 p.m. ET

There are very few “easy” matches in a World Cup. This is no exception. The USA qualified via the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers as the third-placed team behind both Canada and Mexico and did so only due to goal differential (tied on 25 points with Costa Rica).

In other words — an extremely tight and competitive group. They didn’t look very impressive in their two friendlies leading up to the tournament, failing to score a single goal against either Japan or Saudi Arabia. This will pose concern going up against a strong Welsh squad who at times can be very stingy on the defensive end.

In what is likely Gareth Bale’s last World Cup, he has made it clear to the world that he is ready to play all three matches for the full 90 minutes if need be. This is a welcome relief when considering his past injury issues and the lack of usage down the stretch for the Los Angeles FC of the MLS.

Wales, who finished as runners-up to Belgium in Group E, were forced to enter the playoffs overcoming both Austria (2-1) and Ukraine (1-0) in order to book their place in the World Cup Finals. While they enter off three straight defeats in the Nations League — their opponents must be considered (Netherlands, Belgium, Poland) who in our opinion are all a step above the USA squad Wales will be facing off against in their first match.

In what should be a close matchup, we’re going to ride with the more talented squad. Neither side entered in good form but the lack of scoring on the USA side against weaker opposition is concerning. It isn’t the first time they have shown an inability to score either — while Wales who have been racking up losses have still proven competitive and able to produce in the final third. Bale to the rescue one last time.

World Cup Parlay Pick

There really isn’t much to say here. We’re riding with two of the World Cup favorites to take care of business Matchday 1 and get their campaigns off to a scorching start.

Leg 1: Brazil Moneyline vs. Serbia | -230 at DraftKings

Thursday, Nov. 24 | 2 p.m. ET

Brazil dominated South American World Cup Qualifying — they didn’t even play the 18th and final game as it was deemed meaningless to the final outcome of the standings. Up against a strong Serbian side with the potential to make it a difficult match for the Brazilians, we’re not letting it deter us from the eventual outcome.

Brazil simply have too much speed and technical ability that will not be matched by their opponents. With Neymar in potentially the best form of his career, it’s hard to envision any other outcome.

Leg 2: Portugal Moneyline vs. Ghana | -275 at DraftKings

Thursday, Nov. 24 | 11 a.m. ET

Portugal always make things difficult for themselves. Runners-up in Group A to that same Serbian team we just mentioned, they had to overcome both Turkey (3-1) and North Macedonia (2-0) in the playoffs to book a ticket to the Finals.

Entering the match off an impressive 4-0 victory in a friendly over Nigeria, we expect much of the same today. The talent at the exposal of coach Fernando Santos should prove enough to display the same sort of control over another African side as they did just a few days earlier.

Let’s not complicate things here. Brazil and Portugal Money Lines for the two-team parlay.

• Leg 1: Brazil Moneyline | -230 at DraftKings
• Leg 2: Portugal Moneyline | -275 at DraftKings
• Total Odds: -105 at DraftKings