The launch of Maryland sports betting wasn’t be the only highly anticipated event taking place this week. The United States Men’s National Team play England Friday in a match US soccer fans have had circled since April.
While Monday’s game against Wales was the opener for the US in the 2022 World Cup, it’s the England game that most have been looking forward to.
It’s a major test for the young Americans against one of the world’s best teams. It’s also a major opportunity for Maryland sports bettors to venture into the world of soccer betting.
How to watch USA vs. England World Cup match
- What: United States vs. England soccer match
- When: 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25
- Where: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Fox Sports app, FoxSports.com, Peacock Premium (Spanish language)
- Previous matchup: England 3, USA 0; on Nov. 15, 2018
USMNT big underdog against England
England is the clear favorite to win Group B, and among the favorites to win the entire World Cup. So, it’s no surprise that World Cup odds situate the United States as a big underdog entering the match.
Caesars Maryland Sportsbook has the US listed at +500 as of Tuesday morning, while England is -175 on the moneyline. A draw is at +285.
England has tremendous squad depth and an experiential edge over the Americans. It’s coming off a dominant 6-2 win against Iran and will clinch a spot in the knockout rounds with a victory.
The United States, meanwhile, is coming off a 1-1 draw against Wales. It doesn’t necessarily need a win or a draw against England, but a loss puts a lot of pressure on the final group-stage game against Iran. It also likely means the Americans wouldn’t control their own destiny to finish in the top two of the group going into that final day.
For American soccer fans who went without a rooting interest in the 2018 World Cup, an early exit would be tough to swallow.
In two previous World Cup matchups, the US is 1-0-1 against England. The win came in 1950, so it doesn’t tell us much. The draw, however, came in 2010, when England had perhaps even more of a talent edge over the US.
Anytime goal scorer props for USA vs. England
England’s depth and talented attacking options can be fun to watch, but it can also give sportsbooks several liabilities when it comes to anytime goal scorer prop bets.
Striker Harry Kane has the shortest odds at FanDuel Maryland Sportsbook, as he is listed at -110 to score a goal as of Tuesday morning. Kane is one of the world’s most prolific scorers, though he did not manage to find the back of the net in England’s win against Iran.
He also looked to be dealing with an ankle injury, something he’s dealt with plenty over the past few seasons at Tottenham. Of course, if you bet on Kane to score and he doesn’t see the field, the stakes will be refunded.
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The next seven players listed at FanDuel are all English, including Bukayo Saka at +230, who scored twice against Iran.
Jesus Ferreira is the first American listed at +330. Ferreira didn’t play in the US draw with Wales. The lone goal scorer in the US match against Wales, Timothy Weah, is listed at +490, while star forward Christian Pulisic is listed at +500.
How to bet on soccer in Maryland
Soccer betting is available at all of Maryland’s online sportsbooks. It’s a sport that can be found nearly year-round, as leagues around the world are not on the same schedule.
The most popular soccer leagues to bet on for those in the United States are the MLS — which includes DC United — and the English Premier League, which has grown in popularity because of its easy access on American television.
Betting on the World Cup, of course, provides a great introduction for those new to wagering on the sport.
Betting on soccer is a lot like betting on other sports. You can bet on a match’s outcome with a moneyline, point spread or an over/under bet. You can also bet on team, game and player prop odds, such as total corner kicks taken, a team’s goals scored and goal scorers. Player goal scoring props are much like touchdown props. You can bet first, last or anytime goal scorer.
Once the match begins, there’s even the option for in-game micro betting.
One major difference between soccer and other major American sports is the draw. Soccer moneylines will come with odds not just on both teams, but also the draw, and it’s not uncommon for all three to carry plus odds.
To eliminate the draw from the equation, bettors can chose a “draw no bet” wager. In those, a draw results in the bet scored as a push (there, you get your stake back).
You will also want to check the fine print on any soccer moneyline bets, especially if they’re being made in any knockout round game. If they include the language “after 90 minutes” or something similar, you will need the team you are betting on to win in regular time for your bet to cash.
