Friday World Cup Preview | Matchday Two begins for Group A and B with England v USA the pick of the bunch

Eight nations will make their second appearance of the World Cup on Friday.

With every nation getting their tournament under proceedings following Thursday’s fixtures, Group A and B return with four more games taking place on Friday.

See the fixtures for Friday in full below:

Wales v Iran (10am)

Wales and Iran are the first two nations to play their second games of the tournament as they get Matchday 2 underway for Group B.

Iran will be licking their wounds from their 6-2 defeat the hands of England while Wales rescued a point against the USA after a much improved second half in their first appearance at the World Cup in 64 years.

Although beaten heavily, Iran still managed to put two goals past the Three Lions and will be playing for survival now but Wales will be bringing the same intensity after failing to clinch three points against the USA. Expect a tight-knit game.

Qatar v Senegal (1pm)

Two sides that were beaten in their opener go head-to-head and Qatar will be determined not to fail in front of their home fans with a minimum of two games remaining for the hosts.

They were beaten 2-0 by Ecuador via an Enner Valencia brace, which could’ve been three, and posed no real threat in the ninety minutes to strike any fear into their fellow group members.

Senegal, on the other hand, were beaten by the same score-line to the Netherlands but would feel hard done by considering both goals were scored in the last ten minutes. Their performance wasn’t perfect but they definitely have the potential to progress from their group but will need to beat a Qatar side that will have the support of the stadium on their side.

Netherlands v Ecuador (4pm)

Meanwhile, the two winners of Group A’s opening round square off in a game that will almost guarantee qualification to the knockouts for the winners.

The Netherlands will be the favourites ahead of the game, but looked lacklustre in their opener against Senegal, posing no real threat up until the dying embers of the game where they managed to put two past Edouard Mendy in the final ten.

Their opponents had the world watching them on Sunday and stood up to the occasion in that regard as they ran out comfortable winners against Qatar with Enner Valencia starring for the South Americans.

The Dutch will be favourites to go top, but if they continue in the same vein as they did on Monday, Ecuador will sense an opportunity to put one foot in the knockouts.

England v USA (7pm)

The blockbuster game of the day sees England take on the USA, in what’s been a highly-anticipated game since the draw was made earlier this year.

England looked a class above against Iran in their 6-2 victory, but many people have been keeping the quality of their opponent in mind. They were very impressive however, with the young players pulling the strings for Gareth Southgate.

They’ll face a stern test in the form of the USA, who will be kicking themselves after letting their lead slip against Wales. They showed their ability in stages of the 90 minutes and definitely possess a threat but will need to find the key unlock it against the Three Lions.

The two met in the 2010 World Cup, with a 1-1 draw being the result but neither side will be playing for a draw on Friday.