World Cup 2022: Things we learned from matchday two

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Jedi a force for USA

Antonee ‘Jedi’ Robinson has previously been described as USA’s superpower by head coach Gregg Berhalter, labelled as such due to the emphasis put on him to arrive in the penalty box and provide assists and goals.

Indeed, the USMNT left-back finished the 1-1 Wales draw with more final third passes than any other player in the game (23), consistently positioned high up the pitch.

Although Robinson was understandably asked to be slightly more defensive against England, the Fulham left-back still managed to be very enterprising, and the match-up with Iran should offer him yet more space to attack.

Iran have been happy to usher teams wide in their opening two fixtures, which might make it difficult for Robinson to be a direct goal threat.

In that case, backing the American to record an assist makes appeal.

Musiala moments

I’m sure there’s still some insight of use for other fixtures in the previous version of punting pointers, but the next game of interest for this column is Germany’s meeting with Costa Rica on Thursday.

Their assignment is one that is easy to understand. Hansi Flick's side must win — preferably by a wide margin.

That is a distinct possibility considering Germany’s opponents. Costa Rica were truly abysmal in a 7-0 defeat to Spain (xG: ESP 3.65 – 0.00 CRC) and wholly unimpressive against Japan, managing just four shots equating to 0.13 xG in the 1-0 win.

Germany have been creating chances, so goals can be expected. If they do come, Jamal Musiala is a prime candidate to score at the prices.

Musiala has undoubtedly been Germany’s best player at this tournament thus far and has come closer to scoring than his 0.67 xG, which is still an impressive figure, suggests.

Up against the worst team in this group, it’s a surprise to see the 19-year-old so high in the anytime goalscorer betting.

Tension on tension in Serbia-Switzerland

Attempting to find an angle based on geopolicital tensions is not something that I envisaged entering the World Cup, yet here we are.

It’s far from a finished thought, but there is some legs in finding a bet on the treatment Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri might receive and/or distribute versus Serbia.

The Swiss duo – both ethnic Albanians from Kosovo - scored against the same opposition in the 2018 edition of this tournament and were charged by FIFA after celebrating by putting their hands together to form a double-headed eagle, a nationalist symbol of their heritage.

Tensions have again been in the football spotlight with FIFA opening disciplinary proceedings against Serbia's football association after its team hung a flag showing the outline of Kosovo filled by the Serbian flag and the words 'no surrender' in the dressing room prior to their opener with Brazil.

Again, this is far from a polished idea from a gambling perspective, but one that deserves attention nonetheless.

The uncertainty surrounding the Serbian personnel available where Shaqiri will be deployed, along with the question whether they’ll start with a three or four at the back, makes it even more difficult, so it might be worth waiting for team news before acting.

With markets available on fouls won/conceded in places, and the cards markets obviously widely on offer, a range of options might be of interest.

World Cup: More from Sporting Life

• World Cup 2022: Sporting Life Hub
• World Cup 2022: Tips, best bets & analysis
• World Cup 2022: All you need to know
• World Cup 2022: Fixtures, results & live scores
• Free downloadable World Cup wallchart
• Free downloadable World Cup sweepstake kit
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