Costa Rica was the surprise package in World Cup 2016 as they managed to go through a group having heavyweights like England, Italy, and Uruguay. Although they are in seriously bad phase coming into the biggest stage. Group E has Brazil and Switzerland as well with Brazil being clear favorites to win the group followed by Switzerland. If any of these teams hope to make it to the round of 16, they must win all 3 points in this fixture.
Form
Costa Rica is in bad form losing 4 of their last 6 matches and 18 of their 23 players being over 28 years old. They recently faced England and Belgium in pre-tournament warm-up friendly and lost both the encounters scoring just one goal and conceding 6 in the process.
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Serbia’s form has also been a bit inconsistent but they have won 3 of their last 6 matches and defeated Bolivia 5-1 in their last friendly before the World Cup.
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Squads
Costa Rica has 18 players in their pool of 23 ageing 28 years or older. With the return of Bryan Ruiz in goalscoring form with a brilliant strike against Belgium, they will have some sting upfront. Bryan Ruiz has scored 24 goals for Costa Rica in his 110 international appearances and will play a crucial part in Costa Rica’s World Cup campaign.
The front line for Costa Rica will likely be Marco Urena and Joel Campbell along with Captain Bryan Ruiz.
Costa Rica Predicted XI:
Navas, Oviedo, Duarte, Acosta, Gonzalez, Gamboa, Campbell, Guzman, Borges, Ruiz, Urena
After being so impressive against Bolivia in a 5-1 victory, it is highly unlikely that Serbia will make any changes to their playing XI. Aleksandar Mitrovic is in red-hot form as he scored a hat-trick against Bolivia and set up a goal for Branislav Ivanovic.
In the middle, Serbia will have experienced Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic with Dusan Tadic, Adam Ljajic, and Filip Kostic. They also have a mean defense led by Aleksandar Kolarov who was Champions League semi-finalist with Roma.
Serbia Predicted XI:
Stojkovic, Kolarov, Tosic, Milenkovic, Ivanovic, Matic, Milinkovic-Savic, Kostic, Ljajic, Tadic, Mitrovic
Prediction
Serbia will be clear favourites considering their recent form and ageing team of Costa Rica. Costa Rica, on the other hand, doesn’t have an attack to outscore the Serbians. The only chance for Costa Rica to win or draw is to keep it tight at the back. In Keylor Navas, Costa Rica has one of the best goalkeepers in the world as he just won his third Champions League in a row with Real Madrid.
We are predicting a Serbian victory with both sides managing to find the net at least once. Also, there are chances of more than 2.5 match goals.
Costa Rica 1-3 Serbia
Odds
Both teams to score at 23/20.
Aleksander Mitrovic to score anytime at 6/5.
Over 2.5 goals at 7/5.
Serbia to win at 10/11.
Draw at 23/10.
Costa Rica to win at 7/2.
Odds at Mr. Green and LeoVegas
Serbia to win at 8/9.
Draw at 9/4.
Costa Rica to win at 18/5.
Over 2.5 goals at 3/2.
Under 2.5 goals at ½.
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