Costa Rica Vs Canada Betting Tip: Canada – 26 July 2021

Improving Canucks can oust ageing Los Ticos

Marvin Angulo / Costa Rica ©IMAGO / Agencia EFE 10/11/2020

Costa Rica Costa Rica Vs Canada Canada

Monday 26 July, 2021 – 00:00
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Pick: Canada Win
Odds: 9/5
Bookmaker: Betway

(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 23 July 2021)

Preview: This ageing Costa Rica side surpassed expectations in the group stage, topping Group C ahead of a vibrant Jamaican team. Will their luck finally run out, though, up against a Canadian team which has improved enormously in recent times?

CONCACAF Gold Cup Betting at Betfair

 

Costa Rica – Ageing squad surpassing expectations?

Los Ticos are no strangers to the latter stages, with this their eleventh consecutive quarter-final appearance. Four became a semi-final, but only one of the last five editions seen them make the cut for the final four. The likelihood of them doing so in 2021 has seemingly increased, however, with victory over Jamaica in the final match of the group stage. Topping Group C as a result and avoiding the USA.

This isn’t to imply Canada are a huge downgrade. Far from that being the case. Yet with one loss in the last nine international meetings with the Canucks, winning four, the slight edge would appear to belong to Costa Rica, who have struck up an understanding early into Luis Fernando Suarez’s tenure as coach. The 61-year-old only took over before the tournament but guided them to a 100% record in the group.

Wins against Suriname (2-1) and Guadeloupe (3-1) were to be expected – although with no win in eleven prior to the summer’s CONCACAF spectacle, it was hardly a foregone conclusion. The best was saved to last, however, scoring with their only effort on target in the 1-0 win against the Reggae Boyz. Making it three straight wins, despite seeing goalkeeper Leonel Moreira sent off in the second half.

 

Canada Win & Both Teams to Score
5/1

Betfair

 

Canada – Injuries hindering last four prospects?

Having dispatched Haiti and Martinique with consummate ease, winning both 4-1, Canada knew a point from their final outing in Group B would see them finish atop a group for the first time at the Gold Cup for eleven years. Unfortunately, due to a momentary lapse in concentration early into their highly-anticipated clash with USA, it wasn’t to be, succumbing 1-0 to the six-time competition winners.

Essentially a solitary goal, conceded within 20 seconds of kick-off, has cost the Canadians first place in Group B and with it a last eight meeting with Jamaica. More disappointing for Canucks manager John Herdman will have been losing Ayo Akinola and, in particular, Cyle Larin to injury. No team-mate netted more often, three, in group play than Larin, who was coming off an excellent season domestically.

Equally as disappointing was relinquishing their hard-earned eight-game winning streak, comprising 36 goals, 3 conceded, and five clean sheets. Yet this should only serve as a reminder not to judge this team too harshly on their most recent outcome. An unfortunate one at that, when considering not just the circumstances but how they competed well and created enough chances to merit a positive result.

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Costa Rica Vs Canada Betting Advice

Bookmakers cannot split them. Costa Rica winning four and losing only one of the past nine head-to-heads between the sides suggests they have the upper hand. But this Canada team were excellent during the group stage and are clearly on an upward trajectory. Since the beginning of 2021, the Canadians won all eight fixtures prior to a harsh 1-0 loss against USA in the final Group B outing.

 

Costa Rica Vs Canada – Key Facts:

  • Los Ticos recorded a perfect winning record in the group stage – one of only two teams to do so – beating all of Guadeloupe, Jamaica and Suriname.
  • The Canucks saw their eight-game winning run ended last time out by the USA, dropping them to second in Group B after wins against Haiti and Martinique.
  • Both Team to Score has returned in two of three matches at this Gold Cup for Costa Rica and Canada, whose last six meetings comprised four games in which both teams netted.

 

Team news is critical because Canada, who were already without Alphonso Davies before the tournament even got underway, are now missing top scorer Cyle Larin. On the plus side, midfielder Stephen Eustaquio is back from suspension. The Pacos Ferreira man’s delivery is a big weapon for the Canucks. These teams are heading in opposite directions though. So even with key absentees, Canada are taken to progress.

Best Betting Odds – Costa Rica Vs Canada

Costa Rica – 31/20 (Betfair)
Draw – 2/1 (Betway)
Canada – 9/5 (Betway)