England will host Costa Rica in a World Cup warm-up match Elland Road on Thursday. It will probably be supervisor Gareth Southgate's final alternative to place his gamers via their paces in an worldwide conflict earlier than they kick off their FIFA World Cup marketing campaign in opposition to Tunisia on June 18.
The Central American facet aren't anticipated to make a main affect at this summer season's event in Russia, after ending second behind Mexico within the CONCACAF qualifying group. Then once more, nobody anticipated a lot from them in Brazil in 2014 - they usually completed prime of England's group, whereas the Three Lions completed backside.
Southgate's expenses will definitely hope for a extra inspiring efficiency in opposition to Costa Rica than they managed in a Zero-Zero bore draw of their remaining match of the 2014 World Cup - although, on the plus facet, that was their solely level of a dismal marketing campaign.
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Despite being closely criticised for his or her performances in qualifying for this summer season's World Cup, it is value remembering that England gained eight and drew two of their ten qualifiers, conceding simply three objectives within the course of.
The Three Lions' endeavours since confirming their qualification have been respectable reasonably than dazzling. Nevertheless, in addition to drawing with Germany, Brazil and Italy at Wembley, they've earned deserved victories over the Netherlands and Nigeria.
Costa Rica's qualifying marketing campaign was reasonably much less simple than England's, as they dropped 14 factors in whole. Nevertheless, they gained two emphatic wins over the United States.
Their outcomes since qualifying have been a combined bag, together with a 5-Zero hammering by Spain and losses in opposition to Hungary and England's Group G opponents Tunisia. Nonetheless, Óscar Ramírez's facet have impressed in opposition to England's fellow Home Nations, defeating Scotland 1-Zero in March and hammering Northern Ireland Three-Zero of their most up-to-date match.
Costa Rica - World Cup Giant-Killers Since 1990
Despite Costa Rica's lowly FIFA rating - they're 12 locations under England in 25th - Southgate will little doubt be cautious of his opponents' document of upsetting the percentages in opposition to extra fancied opponents.
As nicely as gorgeous each Scotland and Sweden in 1990 - and scoring a luxurious group aim in opposition to the Scots within the course of - Los Ticos had been at it once more in 2014, defeating Uruguay Three-1 and Italy 1-Zero on their approach to a quarter-final in opposition to the Netherlands, which they solely misplaced Four-Three on penalties.
At his press convention on Wednesday, England supervisor Southgate introduced that Jack Butland will begin in aim in opposition to Costa Rica, whereas Liverpool proper again Trent Alexander-Arnold will win his first England cap.
There can even be a vital Yorkshire contingent within the beginning lineup in Leeds, with 5 Yorkshire-born gamers scheduled to begin. There are seven Yorkshireman in Southgate's World Cup squad, together with first selection defenders Kyle Walker and John Stones and striker Jamie Vardy.
Costa Rica supervisor Ramírez will doubtless deploy his favoured 5-Four-1 formation on Thursday, in a bid to frustrate the Three Lions and hit them on the counterattack.
Both squads presently have a clear invoice of well being.
Key Battle: England vs Keylor Navas
He might have his erratic moments, however the Real Madrid shot-stopper remains to be among the best within the enterprise. If Costa Rica are to make any vital affect in Russia, Navas will most certainly be key to their success.
Even if England break down what's prone to be a cussed Costa Rica defence, Navas is prone to be a formidable impediment. He'll virtually actually do a higher job of irritating the Three Lions than his Nigerian counterpart managed on Saturday.
Prediction
World Cup warm-ups are not often dependable indicators of any facet's prospects within the event correct, and Thursday's conflict will doubtless be no exception. There are unlikely to be many hot-blooded challenges at Elland Road, seeing as everybody will probably be anxious to keep away from any pointless accidents.
That stated, Costa Rica might present a helpful check for England, who've usually been way more spectacular on the counterattack than once they have to interrupt down a well-marshalled, deep-lying defence - which is what they're prone to come up in opposition to in Leeds.
Still, the gulf in attacking class between the 2 sides might finally show decisive. A slender England victory could be the likeliest final result.
Predicted Result: England 1-Zero Costa Rica