World Cup Warm Up Best Bets - June 11

Nigeria saw their unbeaten run extended to six matches on the back of a battling 2-2 draw with Poland. Following on from wins over Zimbabwe (2-0) and Jamaica (3-0), their clash with a strong Polish side was a good workout. Frustratingly, when questions were asked of their defence, they crumbled, with the side conceding in both injury time periods in the first and second-half. Ultimately, a lack of anything to play for likely hurt Nigeria, and I back a summer that is bereft of a place at the World Cup will see intensity levels drop.

Costa Rica have struggled for positive performances in 2026, with a string of poor results seeing the side fail to win any of their last five games. Their 4-1 win over Nicaragua in October 2025 was followed by a loss to Haiti and a draw with Honduras the same year, while they have drawn with Jordan and lost to Iran and Colombia in their last three. If Costa Rica were heading towards the World Cup then I would back a low scoring game as the two nations try to ensure they are not beaten. However, Costa Rica have seen over 2.5 goals scored in their last three, and I back them to continue to struggle to keep the ball out of their own net.