England may have only struck once against New Zealand, but should have scored at least one more goal with 23 shots in total during the game. They also hit the woodwork with one of these attempts.

England have scored 2+ goals in eight of their 13 matches under Thomas Tuchel, averaging 2.75 goals per game across their eight qualifying matches.

Marcus Rashford looked a lot better than Anthony Gordon down that left hand side against New Zealand last time out, creating the most chances (5) and having more touches in the opposition box than any other player (5).

He got two shots away from these opportunities, matching his average during qualifying (2.38 per 90). He maintained an average of 1.48 shots on target per 90 for Barcelona in LaLiga last season, and has scored 18 goals across his 71 caps for England.

Jude Bellingham looked like he had a point to prove when coming on against New Zealand last time out, with his spot in the starting line up still not confirmed for England’s first game against Croatia.

Bellingham won one foul in his 45 minute cameo, he was fouled 10 times across his four matches in qualifying (2.54 per 90).

This has consistently been a strong part of Bellingham’s game, he maintained an average of 2.58 fouls won per 90 in LaLiga for Real Madrid last season.

England committed 10 fouls against New Zealand last time out, so they are still capable of being quite aggressive even though this is a friendly clash.

Anderson committed eight fouls across his four qualifying matches (1.95 per 90), and also maintained a healthy foul average during the 25/26 Premier League season (1.54 per 90). 

Costa Rica drew 12 fouls from Colombia in a recent friendly match, with two of their three midfielders being fouled at least twice.

Marc Guehi was fouled twice against New Zealand last time out and this is an angle worth keeping an eye on for England during the tournament.

Tuchel likes his centre backs to be comfortable on the ball, which is part of the reason why he’s taken John Stones, so the England centre backs will naturally invite pressure.

Guehi’s main opponent here in Manfeld Ugande is priced as short as 1.44 to commit 2+ fouls here, so we can expect Guehi to be tangled with the Costa Rican forward at times.

Guehi maintained an average of 1.09 fouls won per 90 in the Premier League last season, a solid record for a centre back.

One of the slight issues England have ahead of this tournament is identifying where the goals are going to come from without Harry Kane.

This is where the likes of Saka and Rashford are crucial, both have to act as outlets if England are going to go deep at the World Cup.

Saka should get more freedom to be a goal threat than he does with Arsenal given that Tuchel wants him and the other wingers to be direct and get in behind when Kane drops deep.

Saka has scored 14 goals across his 48 caps for England, which may not sound that impressive, but it is pretty notable in the context of the squad - only Rashford and Kane have scored more goals for England.

England could cover this line on their own. I think it’ll be a massive part of Tuchel’s game plan during the World Cup, so it’s always worth keeping an eye on corners when England play.

England racked up eight corners against New Zealand last time out, with New Zealand managing to pitch in with one corner themselves. I can see a similar pattern here with England doing a lot of the legwork, and Costa Rica contributing with a few corners.

Costa Rica racked up four corners in their recent defeat to Colombia in a friendly, with that game seeing 9+ corners overall.

England could cover this line on their own. I think it’ll be a massive part of Tuchel’s game plan during the World Cup, so it’s always worth keeping an eye on corners when England play.

England racked up eight corners against New Zealand last time out, with New Zealand managing to pitch in with one corner themselves. I can see a similar pattern here with England doing a lot of the legwork, and Costa Rica contributing with a few corners.

Costa Rica racked up four corners in their recent defeat to Colombia in a friendly, with that game seeing 9+ corners overall.