World Cup 2022 Tipsheet: Three selections for Wednesday's games

Pre-tournament favourites Germany and Spain will get their World Cup tournaments started on Wednesday, and here is how football expert Greg Lea envisages the early games panning out.

Morocco v Croatia

Kick-off: 10am Wednesday

World Cup finalists in 2018, Croatia have refreshed the side in certain areas in the intervening four years. There is now more mobility in a backline, which features Bosko Sutalo and Josko Gvardiol at its heart, while Marko Livaja – a player who only made his international debut two months after the 4-2 loss to France in Russia – looks set to start up front.

The midfield is more familiar - few sides in the competition can match the quality of Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic. Croatia will look to control the game in the centre of the park, while Morocco will aim to increase the tempo and break quickly down the flanks.

Luka Modric: will look to control the midfield for Croatia

Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui will bomb forward from wing-back at every opportunity, but Croatia should be able to get the job done if they can keep that duo reasonably quiet.

Prediction: Croatia to win @ 2.12

Germany v Japan

Kick-off: 1pm Wednesday

After the 2018 debacle when Germany crashed out in the group phase after losing to Mexico and South Korea, Hansi Flick’s side will be quietly confident of mounting a challenge this time around. But they must first negotiate a tricky group that contains a fellow European powerhouse in Spain, a talented Japan team and Costa Rica, the surprise package in Brazil eight years ago.

The main question mark over the Nationalelf is: who will start up front? Kai Havertz looks set to get the nod in this game, so Flick will encourage the likes of Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane to make runs beyond the false nine. Havertz might not be prolific, but there are still plenty of goals in this Germany team.

Thomas Muller: will have to fight for his place in this German side

Japan has their fair share of gifted attackers too. The Samurai Blue lack a ruthless streak in the final third at times, but I fancy their chances of breaching a less-than-vintage German backline at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.88

Spain v Costa Rica

Kick-off: 4pm Wednesday

Spain made a slow start to last summer’s European Championship, but they slowly bettered their performances and eventually felt disappointed that they did not reach the final.

Of all 32 World Cup teams, few have an identity which is as clearly defined as Spain. Luis Enrique’s side will strive to press high, defend on the halfway line and dominate possession in every match they contest. A dose of pragmatism may be required in the knockout phase, but a relatively gentle start against Costa Rica gives Spain the chance to make a statement.

Luis Enrique will encourage his players to be quick out of the blocks this time around, having seen the pressure build after they failed to beat Sweden and Poland in their first two matches at the Euros. And, while the Spanish squad four years ago was rightly criticised for keeping possession for the sake of it, this team plays with more aggression, intensity and directness.

All of which is bad news for Costa Rica, who will do well to keep the score down on Wednesday.

Prediction: Spain to win both halves @ 2.14

Wednesday World Cup 2022 Tips

Morocco v Croatia: Croatia to win @ 2.12
Germany v Japan: Both teams to score @ 1.88
Spain v Costa Rica: Spain to win both halves @ 2.14