4 Tips for Sunday’s World Cup Action - 27/11/22

Japan and Costa Rica face off in Sunday’s early World Cup kick-off, with the Asian side knowing that a win could potentially confirm their place in the Round of 16.

The Samurai Blue earned a superb 2-1 win over Germany on matchday one and will likely set up with a more proactive setup against a Costa Rica side that failed to manage a single shot in their 7-0 loss to Spain.

Takumi Minamino came off the bench against Germany and will likely start here. The former Liverpool man is Japan’s active top scorer heading into this competition, with 17 goals in 45 matches. The AS Monaco playmaker is priced at 10/3 to score in a Japan win here.

Belgium and Morocco face off in Group F, with Roberto Martinez’s men looking to confirm their place in the Round of 16.

The Red Devils managed a 1-0 win over Canada and will undoubtedly need to improve if they are to win here. Fenerbahce striker Michy Batshuayi scored the only goal of the game, but, Manchester City man Kevin De Bruyne will be desperate to add his name to their World Cup goal charts. The 31-year-old has scored 25 goals in 95 games for Belgium.

Croatia against Canada will be an intriguing contest, as the 2018 World Cup runners-up will likely need a win here or face the prospects of elimination, whilst the same also applies for Canada, with the Maple Leafs being unfortunate to lose to Belgium.

Zlatko Dalic’s men have some serious talent in their ranks, with 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric in their midfield, alongside Matteo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic, Ivan Perisic and more.

During Canada’s game against Belgium, they created a staggering 2.83 XG, you’d back them to score some goals if they are able to create a similar amount of chances once again.

The final tip on this list comes from Spain against Germany, with the 2014 winners needing a win, otherwise, Hansi Flick’s men could face being knocked out in the group stages for a second successive World Cup.

Two players that impressed in their opening matches are Barcelona’s Ferran Torres, who managed to score a brace in Spain’s 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica. The 22-year-old Spaniard will be facing his former club teammate Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City who scored Germany’s only goal in their shock 2-1 loss to Japan - the 32-year-old had four shots against the Samurai Blue and has scored 17 goals in 64 caps for Die Mannschaft.

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