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Japan have been really impressive at the World Cup so far and are on an incredible unbeaten run spanning nine matches which stretches all the way back to September 2025.

Japan are a very efficient side, they’ve won seven of these nine matches - notably keeping clean sheets in six of them. They put Tunisia to the sword last time out, putting four past the African side with five shots on target, and now face a Sweden side who were hammered 5-1 by Netherlands last time out and have failed to keep a clean sheet across their last 13 international matches.

One of the main concerns I had about Sweden heading into the tournament was their backline. They were 2-0 down after just 17 minutes against Ronald Koeman’s side last time out - eventually conceding seven shots on target and an xG of 2.61 to the Dutch outfit. 

This is something Sweden have struggled with consistently over the last year, they conceded 5.13 shots on target per game during qualifying and finished bottom of the group despite the other nations being Switzerland, Kosovo and Slovenia - Graham Potter’s side only reached the World Cup due to their performance in the Nations League. 

Japan averaged 6.87 shots on target per game during their qualifying campaign, registering at least three shots on target in 87% of their matches. Even if we look at the games Sweden have contested in friendlies this year, their backline looks vulnerable to an organised Japanese attack. 

They conceded four shots on target and lost the first half in a 2-2 draw with Greece, and allowed Norway to have seven shots on target in a 3-1 victory where all three goals also came in the first half for Erling Haaland’s side. 

Sweden are very fortunate to even be at the World Cup, and their games under Graham Potter show that they aren’t really at the level to overcome opponents like Japan given their shortcomings during qualifying, and against Netherlands last time out. 

Mbappe is made for a stage like the World Cup and has already shown how comfortable he is in this environment with two goals against both Norway and Iraq.

His overall record at the World Cup is pretty incredible, he registered 10 goal contributions across six starts in the 2022 World Cup and scored four goals across six starts in the 2018 World Cup, when France won the trophy.

This takes Mbappe’s goal contribution record at the tournament to 18 goals and assists across 14 starts. His overall record for France is even more impressive with 94 goal contributions across his 100 caps (60 goals, 34 assists).

This record shows just how effective Mbappe is for his country on a stage like this and I fully expect him to continue his brilliant form against a Norway side that are yet to keep a clean sheet at the World Cup - and have only kept one shutout across their last nine international matches more widely. 

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This should be a really entertaining watch, both sides have scored 3+ goals in both of their matches at the World Cup so far, and Norway have also failed to keep a clean sheet in either of their opening fixtures against Iraq and Senegal.

France have seen 3+ goals in each of their last 11 international fixtures. Both sides have already qualified for the next round, but this is still a crucial game as it will decide who will top the group. France would finish top with a point due to their superior goal difference, while Erling Haaland’s side would need all three points to emerge as group winners.

France have the capacity to cover this line on their own, given the attacking talent in the squad. That may sound a little harsh on Norway, who have been very impressive so far, but I’m not convinced about the security of their backline, having conceded two goals against Senegal last time out and also allowing Iraq to get on the scoresheet in the opening game.

Kylian Mbappe always comes alive at the World Cup, and this tournament is no different, with the French forward matching Haaland in netting a brace in each of his two matches so far.

Mbappe has taken 12 shots across these games, seeing seven of them find the target. He’s scored two of his four goals from outside the box, so he’s not afraid to aim from distance, and this shot volume gives Mbappe a really strong chance of finding the target on at least two occasions.

Mbappe scored five goals across four starts for France during qualifying and averaged 7.39 shots per 90 and 3.06 shots on target per 90 across these four games.

Erling Haaland has performed really well at his first-ever World Cup so far, netting a brace against both Senegal and Iraq to secure Norway’s progression into the knockout phases of the competition.

This Norway side is built around providing service to the best striker in the world, and you can see this through how many shots he manages to get away for his national side. Haaland has taken 10 shots across just two starts, seeing seven of these efforts find the target.

Haaland was just as devastating for Norway during qualifying, scoring more goals than any other player (16) across just eight matches. He maintained a ridiculous average of 3.57 shots on target per 90 across those qualifying matches and is well placed to get at least two shots on target away again in this clash.

Norway have been quite aggressive in their opening few games at the World Cup, committing 13 fouls against both Iraq and Senegal.

David Moller Wolfe has committed multiple fouls in both of these games and will have a tough personal assignment against Michael Olise here.

Moller Wolfe featured sparingly for Wolves during the 25/26 campaign, committing 10 fouls across 11 starts in the Premier League (0.86 per 90).

This record rises significantly when looking at his performances for Norway during qualifying, he committed 11 fouls across eight starts (1.45 per 90) and is often caught high up the pitch as a fullback that likes to get forward.

His direct opponent, Michael Olise, has been fouled in both of his World Cup matches so far, drawing 2+ fouls from Senegal in France’s opening fixture. I think he gets the better of Moller Wolfe pretty regularly here, leading to the fullback committing at least one foul, if not more.

Adrien Rabiot’s inclusion in this ultra-talented French side always raises a few eyebrows, but he is a favourite of Didier Deschamps and provides France with a balance in the middle of the park - even if he isn’t as talented as his teammates around him.

As the player sitting just behind France’s talented attacking quartet, Rabiot’s main role is to break up play as often as possible and to shield France from any counter-attacks. This often leads to him committing fouls, which has materialised across the first few games with Rabiot committing two fouls against Iraq last time out after making one foul against Senegal in France’s opener.

Rabiot didn’t feature that often during qualifying, but did commit 35 fouls across his 28 starts in Serie A for AC Milan during the 25/26 campaign (1.24 per 90).

Norway have seen 4+ goals in each of their opening two World Cup games, and I think we’re in for another exciting clash here between the two best sides in this group.

There’s still top spot in the group up for grabs, which would be the difference between facing the Ivory Coast or one of the best third-placed sides in the Round of 32.

France have only kept one clean sheet across their last seven international matches, which is a record to suggest that Norway can find a way to get on the scoresheet in this clash - especially as they have Erling Haaland within their ranks, who has scored twice in both of his World Cup matches so far.

Erling Haaland has a ridiculous record at international level, which is superior to any other player at the tournament if you go by goal-to-game ratio. Making him the best goalscorer at the World Cup, and I think he’ll get enough chances to get on the scoresheet again in this clash.

France’s clean sheet against Iraq last time out was the first shutout that they’ve kept across their last seven international matches. I concede that not all of these games were competitive, so France may have been a bit more relaxed than they are at a World Cup - but Norway still have enough quality in forward areas to generate chances.

Haaland scored 16 goals across eight matches during qualifying and has scored 59 goals across his 52 caps, which is an immense standard to maintain at international level. His goals against Senegal and Iraq show that he’s not stat padding either; he can perform at the very highest level for his country, and I think he can have success in front of goal again here.

Michael Olise has registered the joint-most assists of any player at the World Cup (3), setting up two of France’s three goals against Iraq last time out. He created 22 chances during qualifying (4.64 per game) and is a massive creative asset to this French side.

Didier Deschamps is a really intriguing manager and has tweaked Olise’s role slightly from his instructions at Bayern Munich. Deschamps wants Olise to come inside earlier and more often, whereas he’ll often hug the touchline and look to cut in close to goal when playing for Bayern Munich.

He’s deploying Olise in this way for balance. Every player in France’s front four could easily be a superstar, but that would negatively affect the overall balance and performance of the side, so using Olise in this way allows France to be effective with all their talent in the final third.

Olise has already created seven chances across his two matches. Importantly, he has a frontline that can put away these chances with Olise likely to set up one of Mbappe, Dembele, or Barcola for a goal in the fixture.

I really like Antonio Nusa; he hasn’t quite had the chance to show his best level yet, but I think this could be an ideal game for him to shine, as France’s main weakness lies in the fullback areas.

France are obviously a very complete side, but Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez/Lucas Digne are the players I would be looking to target if I were an opposition manager. France like pushing their fullbacks forward to support the attack, so there is often space for speedy wingers like Nusa to exploit.

Nusa had two shots against Senegal last time out and impressed for Norway during qualifying, registering five goal contributions across six starts and getting 21 shots away (3.96 per 90). His shot accuracy does need some work; only four of these efforts found the target, but if he improves that side of his game, he will be a real threat to any side.

Given both nations can approach their final Group D assignment with a relaxed attitude, I’m keen to back both teams to score.

The USA did manage a clean sheet in their 2-0 win over Australia, but before that, BTTS had been a recurring theme in their fixtures. Indeed, seven of the Stars and Stripes’ eight friendly matches leading into the World Cup saw both sides find the net. That trend also carried into their opening game against Paraguay, a 4-1 victory.

Turkey, meanwhile, have failed to score in each of their opening two matches, but they may find goalscoring opportunities easier to come by against the USA, who are unlikely to sit deep and adopt the same cautious approach shown by both Australia and Paraguay against the Crescent Stars.

It is also worth noting that both teams scored in four of Turkey’s six World Cup qualifiers during the group stage of their campaign. The same was true of their final warm-up fixture before the tournament, a 2-1 win over Venezuela.

There’s no denying that Turkey have endured a hugely disappointing World Cup campaign, but I think they can salvage a bit of pride by avoiding defeat against the USA in their final group game.

Vincenzo Montella will be demanding a response and performance from his players before they head home. Coming up against what is likely to be an understrength USA side represents a good opportunity to do so.

Moreover, Turkey were in good shape coming into the World Cup, having lost just one of their 10 matches ahead of the tournament. Notably, their only defeat during that period came at home against Spain. However, the Crescent Stars did earn a credible 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture.

It should also be noted that Turkey beat the USA in a friendly fixture last June.

As mentioned, USA boss Mauricio Pochettino is highly likely to make changes for this game, with the likes of Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Folarin Balogun and Tyler Adams all expected to drop out of the side to avoid the risk of suspension. Key forward Christian Pulisic could also be rested, all of which strengthens the case for keeping Turkey onside.

I’m also turning towards Hakan Calhanoglu in the shots market, with 2+ attempts the selection.

One notable takeaway from Turkey’s two matches at this year’s World Cup is the number of shots their captain has been firing away. In fact, Calhanoglu attempted five shots against Australia before going one better with six against Paraguay last time out.

He was also reliable on the shots front during World Cup qualification, pulling the trigger at least twice in four of his seven outings, including a home game against Spain. Calhanoglu's numbers at club level tell a similar story from last season, as he averaged 2.73 efforts per 90 for Inter Milan in Serie A.

Another reason I’m keen to side with this selection is that the Turkey playmaker is typically on penalty duty and is a set-piece specialist, which only adds to the appeal for him to register two or more shots in this contest.

I’m keen to back Hakan Calhanoglu to commit at least one foul during this contest. The Turkish captain is unlikely to let standards slip within the Turkey camp as they look to save a bit of face by putting in a performance against the USA.

Moreover, Calhanoglu is a player who consistently catches the referee's attention. Across Turkey's opening two Group D assignments, Calhanoglu committed a foul in each of those contests, while he averaged 0.97 fouls per game during the World Cup qualifying campaign, picking up two yellow cards in the process.

His domestic numbers last season only add further weight to the case, as he averaged 1.53 fouls per game in Serie A, with his Champions League figure standing at 1.07 per game. Calhanoglu is likely to be operating in similar areas of the pitch to Sebastian Berhalter.

The USA midfielder was fouled when coming off the bench against Paraguay on matchday one, and was fouled five times across his five appearances prior to that.

Defensively, Tunisia have been woeful, and the Netherlands should be licking their lips at the prospect of this matchup, especially considering they are just coming off a 5-1 win against Sweden. Confidence around camp should be higher than ever. 

With that being said, Ronald Koeman’s men have looked a bit vulnerable at times at the back, and Sweden were unfortunate to only score once. Bart Verbruggen was a standout performer, and he finished the match with seven saves to his name.

Tunisia might not have much hope of qualifying for the knockouts, but they will hope to give their fans something to cheer by finding the back of the net.

After being held to a 2-2 draw in their opening World Cup fixture, the Netherlands bounced back in imperious style, as they put Sweden to the sword in a 5-1 win last time out.

The Dutch were clinical when chances fell to them, and they will hope to finish their group stage campaign on a high to secure top spot. They have a favourable matchup to do so against Tunisia, who have lost both matches so far, with nine goals conceded. 

Their opening fixture finished 5-1 against Sweden, as Tunisia were guilty of several individual errors, which were punished. Japan also found no issue carving through Tunisia’s defences in round two, and it was another four-goal margin of defeat for the African side. 

It has been a dismal run for Tunisia, but perhaps the one positive is the performances of Hannibal Mejbri. He has been the one player constantly looking to get on the ball and make things happen in the final third. Sweden committed eight fouls against Tunisia in round one, and Mejbri was responsible for three of those. Even against Japan, he was fouled seven times, as Japan committed 15 infringements altogether.

Hannibal had an average of 3.4 fouls drawn per 90 for Burnley this season across all competitions, and he has landed this selection in each of his last four starts for his national side. The 23-year-old is great at buying soft free kicks, and he sees plenty of the ball for Tunisia. 

Crysencio Summerville scored in Netherlands’ opening World Cup fixture against Japan, helping his nation earn a point, so it was a surprise to see him benched against Sweden last time out. However, the 24-year-old still had a pivotal impact off the bench - he provided an assist for Cody Gakpo, before then finding the back of the net himself in the 89th minute. 

Summerville has been in excellent form to kick off the World Cup, and he looks set to keep his starting position on the right wing against Tunisia here. Summerville had a similar purple patch for West Ham this season, as he scored in five successive matches, so he will hope to repeat that feat for his national side.

Micky van de Ven has landed this selection in both of his World Cup appearances so far, as he committed one foul against Sweden last time out. Prior to that, he was called for two infringements against Japan, and was booked for the second one. The Tottenham defender has looked slightly uncomfortable at times in his left back role, as he is asked to cover a lot more ground compared to when he plays at centre back. 

Netherlands will expect to dominate this match, but Tunisia were fouled 15 times against Japan last time out, despite losing 4-0. Elias Saad is likely to feature on the right wing, and he has been fouled three times at the World Cup already.