Poland vs USA Prediction: The difference in class is significant

Prediction for the IIHF World Championship Poland vs USA match which will take place on May 17th. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

Poland entered the 2024 World Championship as the tournament's biggest underdog. It is hardly surprising, given that they have only played in the elite of world hockey once in the 21st century, and even then they lost all three of their qualifying matches by a combined score of 0:18, relegating them to the second tier, where they have been for more than two decades. In their first game at the tournament in the Czech Republic, the Poles picked up a point, losing to the Latvians 5:4 in extra time. For Robert Kalaber's wards, such a result was a success, but they then lost 5:1 to Sweden, 4:2 to France, and 4:0 to Slovakia the day before to finish bottom of Group B.

The USA is a much more skilled and ambitious team represented by regulars at the elite level, but the Stars and Stripes have their problems. It's all down to the fact that they haven't been able to become world champions in 64 years. In desperation, they have repeatedly sent students to tournaments, where they have often reached the playoffs but failed to lift the trophy. For the 2024 World Championship, the Americans decided to field a very high-profile team, with almost all players representing the NHL and many leading their clubs. However, they have already suffered two defeats - 5:2 and 5:4 to Sweden and Slovakia - and still have to reach the quarter-finals.

Team USA is one of the strongest teams in the 2024 World Championship regarding player recruitment. Many of the NHL's leading players have clarified that they intend to compete for the trophy. Admittedly, they have suffered a few setbacks in the tournament's group stage, but they should have no trouble picking up three points against Poland. The difference in class between the two teams is so significant that, even without the right attitude, the Stars and Stripes should be able to get the job done, the only question being goal difference. Poland came into the 2024 World Championship as the biggest underdog. Still, that title helped Poland relax. In their opening match, they lost 5:4 to Latvia in extra time. Scoring four goals against the bronze medallists from the last World Championship was a success.