England have won 11 of their 14 games under Thomas Tuchel and they have kept a clean sheet in each of those victories. New Zealand have lost seven of their last nine games and, prior to a 4-1 win over Chile, they had scored just four goals in eight attempts. England have won to nil in 11 of their 13 games under Thomas Tuchel and an impressive seven of these have ended either 2-0 or 3-0. 2-0 has occurred in four of their last 12 games and that looks a solid scoreline prediction in Tampa Bay.

Scotland may look on track for a win, but they have no clean sheet in their last seven games and Bolivia have scored six goals in their last three games. This includes a 2-1 defeat to Iraq last time out, while Scotland won 2-1 against Belarus in October.

Harry Kane ended the club season with back-to-back hat-tricks for Bayern Munich, taking his tally to 61 goals for the German side this season. He has a further five goals for England this season and, after a two-week rest since his last outing, he should be ready to start on Saturday and add to his 78 international goals.

Scott McTominay is the top goalscorer in Scotland’s squad and 13 of his 14 goals have come in his last 32 games. He ended the club season by scoring in three of his final seven appearances for Napoli.

Ecuador conceded only five goals across their 18 South American qualifiers, losing just two of 18 games across the toughest qualifying route in the world. They put together an 18-game unbeaten run ahead of the tournament, which is largely built on defensive solidity. While they aren’t thrilling in the final third, being hard to beat helped take Morocco and Croatia far four years ago. In a tournament where the heat is expected to work against progressive, attacking sides, Ecuador could thrive.

Since winning Euro 2024, Spain have extended their unbeaten record to 28 matches, reaching the final of the Nations League and breezing through their World Cup qualifying campaign. European sides have historically struggled in tournaments held in other continents, but that trend appears to be turning. Spain won in South Africa in 2010, followed by Germany’s success in Brazil four years later. France were a shootout away from repeating the trick four years ago. There hasn’t been a World Cup final without a European side since 1950, and the European champions can extend that streak this summer.

Erling Haaland had 16 goals in eight games over qualifying and enjoyed another excellent season domestically with 38 goals across all competitions. Haaland’s Norway face France, Senegal and Iraq in the group stage and he could reach four goals in those three games alone.

World Cup surprise packages tend to have solid defensive records and a core group of quality players. Japan have some real midfield quality in Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ritsu Doan, and Liverpool’s Wataru Endo. After five straight wins to nil, Japan look capable of recording their best ever tournament finish this summer. The expanded field should play into their hands, but they’ve proven capable of upsetting football’s elite in the past.

Ecuador conceded only five goals across their 18 South American qualifiers, losing just two of 18 games across the toughest qualifying route in the world. They put together an 18-game unbeaten run ahead of the tournament, which is largely built on defensive solidity. While they aren’t thrilling in the final third, being hard to beat helped take Morocco and Croatia far four years ago. In a tournament where the heat is expected to work against progressive, attacking sides, Ecuador could thrive.

World Cup surprise packages tend to have solid defensive records and a core group of quality players. Japan have some real midfield quality in Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ritsu Doan, and Liverpool’s Wataru Endo. After five straight wins to nil, Japan look capable of recording their best ever tournament finish this summer. The expanded field should play into their hands, but they’ve proven capable of upsetting football’s elite in the past.

Kylian Mbappe finished last season as the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals and he scored five goals in four games during qualifying. France are among the tournament favourites and are likely to reach the latter stages and they will face Iraq, Senegal and Norway in the group stages, so Mbappe may be able to score a few goals in the earlier rounds.

Spain are the current favourites and seem set for a deep run at the World Cup. La Roja also have a kind draw with Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia joining them in Group H. Lamine Yamal scored 16 goals in La Liga for Barcelona in 28 games and is among the contenders to top the World Cup 2026 scoring charts.

Julian Alvarez has developed a reputation as a striker who raises his levels in cup competitions having scored 22 goals in 32 Champions League games for current club Atletico Madrid and Manchester City across the last three seasons. Argentina will face Algeria, Jordan and Austria in the group stages, so Alvarez could grab a few goals in the group phase and that makes him a contender to top the scoring charts.

Rayan Cherki had 12 Premier League assists for Manchester City this season and he also provided a further four in 11 games across their EFL Cup and FA Cup successes. France have an incredible attacking line-up and Cherki will be picking out passes for the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Desire Doue.

In terms of technical ability Neuer is right up there with the best stoppers of all time and the fact he is now playing for a fairly average Germany side, by their standards anyway, could actually work in his favour in the battle for Golden Glove honours as he may have more saves to make and more work in terms of organising his defence.

Lamine Yamal is the most exciting attacking talent in a strong Spain side and he has a habit of scoring eye-catching goals, those attributes can be key in deciding where the player of the tournament award ends up.

Portugal have landed in a winnable group alongside Colombia, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan. Winning that group would give them a softer run in the early knockout rounds, before a potential meeting with Argentina in the quarter-finals. They beat hosts Germany 2-1 in the Nations League semis before triumphing over Spain, and edging those big clashes suggests they could become the ninth country to win the World Cup.

England have won 11 of their 14 games under Thomas Tuchel and they have kept a clean sheet in each of those victories. New Zealand have lost seven of their last nine games and, prior to a 4-1 win over Chile, they had scored just four goals in eight attempts.

Belgium are on a 12-game unbeaten run, with eight wins, and they have four clean sheets in their last five on home soil. They should be able to see off a Tunisia side who are lacking a cutting edge in attack without conceding.

Portugal scored a mammoth 20 goals in their six qualifiers and should put Chile to the sword. An impressive midfield and frontline should carve out plenty of chances. Over 3.5 goals has landed in Chile’s last two games and this has the potential to be a high-scoring affair.

Belgium are on a 12-game unbeaten run, with eight wins, and they have four clean sheets in their last five on home soil. They should be able to see off a Tunisia side who are lacking a cutting edge in attack without conceding.

England have won 11 of their 14 games under Thomas Tuchel and they have kept a clean sheet in each of those victories. New Zealand have lost seven of their last nine games and, prior to a 4-1 win over Chile, they had scored just four goals in eight attempts.

Both teams have scored in six of USA’s last seven games and they have scored 15 goals across their last eight home games. Germany have scored in each of their last eight games but have struggled for clean sheets on their travels – conceding in six of their last eight games away from home – so goals at both ends looks likely.

Bolivia routinely struggle away from the high-altitude of their home country. They have lost six of their last nine games, including defeat in the World Cup intercontinental play-off against Iraq, while Scotland will be keen to get a win under their belt ahead of their first World Cup campaign in almost 30 years.

Portugal scored a mammoth 20 goals in their six qualifiers and should put Chile to the sword. An impressive midfield and frontline should carve out plenty of chances. Over 3.5 goals has landed in Chile’s last two games and this has the potential to be a high-scoring affair.

Both teams have scored in eight of Castellon’s last nine games and they are on a 19-game scoring streak. Almeria have scored in eight of their last nine games and both teams have scored in seven of those fixtures, so goals at both ends appears likely.

Both teams have scored in six of USA’s last seven games and they have scored 15 goals across their last eight home games. Germany have scored in each of their last eight games but have struggled for clean sheets on their travels – conceding in six of their last eight games away from home – so goals at both ends looks likely.

Both teams have scored in each of Wales’ last four games and that pattern could continue when they head to Bucharest, as hosts Romania have scored in seven of their last nine home games but have just one clean sheet in their last four on home soil.

Both teams have scored in eight of Castellon’s last nine games and they are on a 19-game scoring streak. Almeria have scored in eight of their last nine games and both teams have scored in seven of those fixtures, so goals at both ends appears likely. Almeria had a mixed road record this season with eight defeats in 21 La Liga trips, including three losses in their last five. Castellon have won 12 of their last 16 home games so back them to claim a first leg win in a game where both teams score.

The USA have an abysmal record against European sides with no wins and eight defeats in their last 10 games. Germany are in form and they can conclude their World Cup 2026 warm-up campaign with a win. the USA have scored 15 goals across their last eight home games, while Germany have struggled for clean sheets on their travels – conceding in six of their last eight games away from home – so goals at both ends looks likely.

Bolivia routinely struggle away from the high-altitude of their home country. They have lost six of their last nine games, including defeat in the World Cup intercontinental play-off against Iraq, while Scotland will be keen to get a win under their belt ahead of their first World Cup campaign in almost 30 years. Scotland may look on track for a win, but they have no clean sheet in their last seven games and Bolivia have scored six goals in their last three games. 

Both teams have scored in eight of Castellon’s last nine games and they are on a 19-game scoring streak. Almeria have scored in eight of their last nine games and both teams have scored in seven of those fixtures, so goals at both ends appears likely. Almeria had a mixed road record this season with eight defeats in 21 La Liga trips, including three losses in their last five. Castellon have won 12 of their last 16 home games so back them to claim a first leg win in a game where both teams score.

Malaga beat Las Palmas in both league meetings this season and can strike first in the first leg of this play off. Las Palmas finished the season with just two wins in their final four games, while Malaga ended in strong form with four wins in their final five games – only dropping points in a draw with champions Racing Santander. Malaga have won their last three away games and can make it four in a row at the Estadio de Gran Canaria.