World Cup 2022: The Road to Qatar Looms Ever Closer

USA vs El Salvador

The road to Qatar and World Cup 2022 qualifying is about to hot up in the CONCACAF.

That’s because it’s time for the penultimate qualifying window for Qatar 2022 as the USA put their unbeaten run against El Salvador on the line.

Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, is the venue for a meeting between two nations who are, on paper, poles apart.

However, should the unexpected happen, then the World Cup dreams of the Stars n’ Stripes could be about to come tumbling down.

Talking Points

In theory, that should not even happen.

The US have six matches remaining to book their place in this autumn’s soccer showpiece.

While they have a point advantage over Mexico in the standings and have leaders Canada in their sights, by contrast only Honduras are keeping El Salvador off the bottom of the standings.

The fact the US were able to defeat Mexico in November shows they still have what it takes to beat the leading North American rivals.

Gregg Berhalter’s men have not always looked impressive but are in a solid position to reach international football’s grandest stage of all after missing out in 2018.

What’s more, with home advantage in this one, it would be a shock of mighty proportions if the Yanks, unbeaten in their last 18 matches played on American soil, were to be defeated.

La Selecta have never ever beaten the US and, while head coach Hugo Perez led his team to a run of good results early in 2021, with FC Tulsa striker Joaquin Rivas looking lively up front, they have stuttered over the past six months with just one victory since July.

Yes, they have missed David Rugamas, who found the back of the net eight times in the earlier qualifying stages but has not featured in this phase of the competition.

But it is far more than that.

In what may be a sign of their frustration, El Salvador have committed 63 fouls in their last four qualifying matches, while also picking up two red cards.

All in all, the World Cup qualifying highlights this Thursday should belong to the States.

History

As you would expect, this fixture has produced one of the most one-sided set of results in the game.

The nations have met 24 times since first locking horns in 1977 and the USA have won on 19 occasions with the other five encounters ending all square.

The most recent clash, in qualifying in September, saw El Salvador hold their opponents in a hard fought goalless draw in San Salvador.

Nine months earlier in the States, albeit in a friendly, saw a romp as the Americans ran out 6-0 winners in Fort Lauderdale when Paul Arriola, Chris Mueller (two), Sebastian Lletget, Ayo Akinola and Brenden Aaronson were the goal-getters.

The goalless draw four months ago actually broke a cycle of five straight wins for the USA in this fixture, including a 2-0 win in 2017 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final when Omar González and Eric Lichaj were on target.

In fact, you have to go back to 1989 for the last time Peru avoided defeat on American soil – a goalless draw in qualification for the 1990 World Cup.

The very first meeting was a friendly in 1977 in El Salvador when goals from Greg Villa and Rick Davis earned the States a 2-1 win.

Betting Tip

	USA vs El Salvador	USA First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.08
	January 28, 08:00 (GMT+8)

The SBOTOP World Cup qualifying betting odds reflect the history, not to mention the gap of 69 places between them in the world rankings (USA 11^th, El Salvador 70^th).

The hosts are available in a variety of ways, such as First Half 1X2 @ 1.74, 1X2 @ 1.24, First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.08 and Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 2.07.

The contrast with El Salvador is clear as they are priced First Half 1X2 @ 7.60, 1X2 @ 10.00, First Half Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 1.80, Asian Handicap +1.50 @ 2.13.

Even the draw @ 5.20 is not expected, four months after their stalemate.

Goals are not necessarily anticipated given there have been some low scoring affairs and the USA have hardly been prolific in qualifying so far with 12 goals in eight games.

Over 2.50 goals @ 1.96 and total goal 2-3 @ 1.85 contrast with total goal 0-1 @ 3.05 and 4-6 @ 3.35.

Double Chance El Salvador or Draw @ 3.50 or another goalless draw – Correct Score 0-0 – will pay out @ 9.75.

I cannot see past a USA success from start to finish and my *** tip is First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.08.

 

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