England vs Costa Rica Predictions

• Both teams have scored in only one of England’s last nine games
• England have not conceded in two previous meetings with Costa Rica
• Costa Rica have won only one of their last 11 games

Three Lions can add another warm-up win

England came through their first World Cup warm-up match in the United States with a comfortable if not spectacular 1-0 win over New Zealand in Tampa and they should be capable of a similarly unflustered success against Costa Rica.

The teams’ meeting in Orlando on Wednesday will be their third clash after a goalless draw at the World Cup finals in Brazil in 2014 and a 2-0 friendly win for England at Elland Road in 2018.

Costa Rica topped that World Cup group while England finished last, but the Central American side’s fortunes are at a low ebb now and they won only one of their six games in their World Cup qualifying group against Haiti, Nicaragua and Honduras.

They have lost their last two matches 5-0 to Iran and 3-1 to Colombia and an England side boosted by the arrival of their Arsenal players should be able to record another win to nil.

Tuchel’s team unlikely to cut loose, but should grab more goals

Wins to nil were England’s trademark in World Cup qualifying as they kept eight clean sheets in UEFA Group K. New Zealand were limited to three shots against them in Tampa on Saturday and while England could convert only one of their own 23 efforts, there is scope for them to improve on that in their second match.

Costa Rica conceded 12 goals in three group games at the 2022 World Cup and while they were solid enough in their qualification group this time, conceding only six times in six matches, they have struggled defensively in recent outings and should find it hard to keep England out. A 2-0 win for the favourites looks a solid option.