Uruguay v Costa Rica World Cup 2014, 14th June Betting Preview
South Americans Uruguay were handed the easiest opening match in Group D, and it should give them a chance to get maximum points on the board before they move forward to challenge England and Italy for a place in the knockout stage of the competition. With Costa Rica looking decidedly average, this appears to be one of the more predictable games of the opening round.
Uruguay v Costa Rica Betting Tips
There is such a heavy favouritism looking at Uruguay here that there isn’t a lot of value in backing them in the outright market. That’s good, because it means that you should be able to comfortably stretch your betting for value in this one. This is a match which Uruguay should be winning without question. Given the fact that they have kept four clean sheets in their last five matches, then it looks a pretty sound bet at even money for Uruguay to win to nil.
Even though their defence was a bit ropey through CONMEBOL qualification, they should have more than enough in the tank to see off Costa Rica without conceding. This is the type of game which could be over at half time, if Uruguay start strongly and positively. There’s nothing for them to fear here at all and shooting for 6/5 value in a Uruguay/Uruguay half time/full time bet is going to be a big temper for a lot punters in this one.
Luis Suarez has only been doing light training with the squad after his knee surgery. No-one seems to know just what his status is, but it seems a stretch to imagine that coach Oscar Tabarez would risk rushing him back to play in what is their easiest match of Group D. They have more than enough firepower with Edinson Cavani, Diego Forlan and Christian Stuani to see off Costa Rica. The latter, incidentally was in great shape ahead of the World Cup and Christian Staui at 2/1 in the anytime goalscorer market looks a sound bet, especially if Suarez is kept back.
What are you expecting to see from Costa Rica? Not a lot. The Central Americans are not in any kind of form or shape to really lay down much of a challenge it would look like here. They have only won two of their last nine matches and in suffering defeats against the likes of Japan, South Korea, Australia and Honduras, it really puts them as heavy underdogs in having to go up against an actual good side. They don’t look as if they are carrying enough threat up top to get anywhere near opening up the Uruguayan defence. They are running at 1/4 to finish bottom of Group D and that says it all.
Uruguay v Costa Rica Betting Odds
Uruguay 4/9, Draw 3/1, Costa Rica 8/1
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Uruguay v Costa Rica Predictions
This should be nothing more than a routine victory for Uruguay. They have the firepower and quality in their ranks to see off a pretty average Costa Rica side. You would expect the Uruguayans to come out keep a clean sheet in this one and Uruguay to win to nil is priced up at Even money, which looks bags of value. With doubts over Suarez, would look for Christian Staui in the anytime goalscorer market at even money.
