England v Costa Rica World Cup 2014, 24th June Betting Preview
Both have something at stake here, although the goals are poles apart. All England have left to do is try and play for pride and hope not to finish bottom of the group. Costa Rica on the other hand will be looking to put the icing on the cake of their great campaign so far, needing just a point to make sure of topping Group D.
England v Costa Rica Betting Tips
England are now just playing for pride and trying to avoid heading home having finished bottom of Group D. All of that enthusiasm and positivity in defeat against Italy in their opener fell apart in a poor performance against Uruguay. Costa Rica in contrast are running on high confidence and have a massive opportunity to actually win Group D after beating both Uruguay and Italy in the group. Costa Rica where the rank outsiders to win the group prior to the start of the tournament. What a turn up it has been.
These two have never met before, so no history to look back on. After shocking Uruguay 3-1 in their opener, in beating Italy 1-0 in their second group match, Costa Rica won consecutive World Cup matches for the first time in their history. They became only the third CONCACAF side to win consecutive matches at the World Cup too (with the USA and Mexico). With their four goals in two games so far (with four different goalscorers), they will be confident of more as they have scored in all seven of their previous World Cup meetings with European nations, so it could be worth looking towards Both Teams To Score in this one.
The shortest priced option for the Ticos in the anytime goalscorer market is Bryan Ruiz at 3/1, the man who got the winner against Italy. For a side coming from a weak zone, and showing no great form this year, Costa Rica have sprung from nowhere. The last time they qualified from the group stage at a World Cup was back in 1990. So while they are making history for themselves, they could leave England with some of their own. Never before have the Three Lions recorded zero points in a World Cup group. In heading home early, it is the first time that 1958 that they have been eliminated from the first stage of the World Cup, and that is a bitter enough pill to swallow.
Roy Hodgson is likely to shake up the starting eleven, with Jack Wilshere and Ross Barkley likely to come into the midfield from the off. Up front, Wayne Rooney is even money in the anytime goalscorer market alongside Daniel Sturridge. Despite some heavy criticism, Rooney has scored one and assisted the other of England’s two goals at the World Cup so far. Hodgson is playing for a bit of pride himself, having lost his last four games at the World Cup, two with Switzerland and now two with England. In conceding eight goals in their last three World Cup matches, they have shipped as many as they had done in their previous 14 games combined. Hopefully there is going to be goals in this one and over 2.5 looks a good bet at 4/5.
England v Costa Rica Betting Odds
England 5/6, Draw 11/4, Costa Rica 3/1
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England v Costa Rica Predictions
Somehow England are still trading as favourites for this match, so punters may be tempted to have a shot on Costa Rica – Draw Double Chance at even money. The trouble with England is that they aren’t a good enough price to really back, so instead skip over it and look for Both Teams To Score.
