England v Costa Rica: Back Three Lions for routine win at 13/10

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Wednesday, 21:00
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England complete two-match warm-up

It had the feel of a training match, the heat was intense and the pitch far from ideal. Thomas Tuchel sent a completely different XI out for the second half.

And yet a win's a win, so England 1-0 New Zealand was satisfactory. Especially when the decisive contribution came from star man Harry Kane, a clever flicked header from a Djed Spence cross that was his 79th goal for the Three Lions.

Tuchel will hope to build more momentum, fine tune and get minutes into legs during Wednesday's clash against Costa Rica. Exactly one week after that, the real stuff begins as England kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia.

England's World Cup Group L also features Ghana and Panama while they're 8/131.61 to win that opener against the Croatians.

With the start of the tournament just days away, England are clear third favourites at 7/18.00 behind France and Spain at 9/25.50. It's then 9/110.00 Brazil, Portugal, 10/111.00 Argentina, 12/113.00 Germany and 14/115.00 Netherlands.

Costa Rica far weaker than 2014 vintage

First things first, Costa Rica aren't in the World Cup. That's a big disappointment for a country that had qualified for the previous three finals.

But with England taking on Panama in their final group game, playing central American opposition makes sense for Tuchel.

England don't have happy memories of Costa Rica at World Cup time as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Los Ticos in the 2014 finals in Brazil. Remarkably, that was enough so see Costa Rica top a group also featuring Italy and Uruguay. England, managed by Roy Hodgson, finished last with a single point.

But this iteration of Costa Rica isn't anywhere near as good as the team of 12 years ago. They finished third in Concacaf's final-round Group C behind Haiti and Honduras while in their last two friendlies they've been smashed 5-0 by Iran in Tehran and lost 3-1 away to Colombia in Bogata at the start of June.

England ready to step it up

The betting is very similar to the Three Lions' game with New Zealand.

England are just 2/131.15 to get the win, with The Draw 6/17.00 and Costa Rica 17/118.00.

But while the odds are virtually the same, some of the other factors are not.

Tuchel says he won't just bring on a different XI at half-time, perhaps giving some players an hour or more. That should help fluidity.

The pitch will be in better condition and, as a unit, the Three Lions will be more acclimatised and in more of a routine.

With this the final dress rehearsal, England will be looking for something bigger and better.

Goal count to rise

We landed a 5/23.50 winner with the only bet against New Zealand by backing England/Under 2.5 Goals.

That same bet is 23/103.30 this time but pushing the boundaries to England/Under 3.5 Goals knocks us down to odds-on, 10/111.91.

However, in the belief that England keep yet another clean sheet, let's take the 13/102.30 for the Correct Score Combination of 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0.

That seems the sweet spot and it's logical to think that if England do get to 2-0 they're more likely to start giving their main players a rest and then rhythm begins to suffer as the plethora of substitutions are made.

Arsenal contingent should feature in your bet builders

For a Bet Builder, in the New Zealand game I mentioned that Harry Kane to score first combined with England/Under 2.5 Goals paid 15/28.50. Frustratingly, it wasn't an official bet but hopefully a few cashed in.

Kane to score first in a 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 win here is around 11/26.50 although wait for starting line-ups as there's a chance he'll be wrapped in cotton wool.

Arsenal's contingent of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke are available after flying in late and Tuchel will want to make sure all get decent minutes.

All are predictably short in the various markets, with Rice - England's non-penalty set-piece taker - just 13/82.63 to assist.

But if combining a Rice assist with that 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 England win option, we're getting just shy of 6/17.00.

Now read all our World Cup preview and tips