Austria’s games generally tend to be quite open and entertaining, with their energetic style of play that revolves around pressing high. They’ve seen 3+ goals in two of their three games at the World Cup so far, with their most recent game ending 3-3.

Austria saw 26 goals across their eight qualifying matches (3.25 per game), and I think they have enough quality to get on the scoresheet in this clash with Spain’s backline really yet to be properly tested, having faced off against Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde, and a lacklustre Uruguay side.

Spain have had to battle through some tight games so far, but they are capable of competing in a high-scoring environment too. Five of their six qualifying games saw 3+ goals, and with Yamal continuing to build to full fitness, you would expect Spain to continue to improve in the final third.

Joao Cancelo has committed three fouls at the World Cup so far (2.00 per 90) and has been replaced at half time twice, with Roberto Martinez clearly not comfortable with the options he has down that side of the pitch.

I think Croatia will look to target this side of the pitch; it’s much weaker than the opposite flank where Portugal have Nuno Mendes operating, so it’s the glaring weak spot in this Portuguese side. Cancelo is very effective going forward but can be clumsy with his challenges; he averaged 1.57 fouls committed per 90 across his four starts for Portugal during qualifying.

Did you know Xhaka has only committed one foul at the World Cup so far? 

It’s actually not one of his main attributes, despite the assumption that the Sunderland midfielder is always reckless. He has, however, won four fouls across his three starts at the World Cup (1.33 per 90).

Xhaka averaged 1.54 fouls won per 90 for Switzerland during the qualifying campaign, showing that winning fouls is actually a consistent part of his game when lining up for his nation.

Xhaka also maintained an average of 1.27 fouls won per 90 during the 25/26 Premier League season for Sunderland, a tally that was notably higher than his fouls committed average (0.71 per 90).

Both of these sides will see this as a pretty favourable draw, especially seeing as the winner of this tie will face either Colombia or Ghana for a spot in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

There are no easy games at the World Cup, but this is certainly the weakest portion of the draw and a chance for an unlikely side to emerge as an underdog. I think both sides set up to try and win the game rather than sit back and hope for penalties.

Both sides have seen 2+ goals in all three of their group games, with Algeria seeing 3+ goals in all three of their matches and notably failing to keep a clean sheet in any of those games. Switzerland are also without a shutout, conceding to the likes of Bosnia and Qatar across their group stage matches.