Costa Rica head into the World Cup having ever won only one World Cup match (they are currently on a four-match losing streak) while Uruguay bagged third place in South Africa 2010.
A win for the South Americans would be crucial to their qualification hopes given that the other two members of the group are European heavyweights England and Italy. Costa Rica meanwhile are the only side in the group ranked outside the top 10 and will have to face the reality that everyone else in the group will look at them as a guaranteed 3 points. They could prove them wrong however, as the Costa Ricans have an unbelievably solid defense. They qualified for Brazil by holding their opponents for an unbelievable 476 minutes in the CONCACAF qualification stages. Uruguay’s defence, on the other hand, is the weakest department in their team.
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Uruguay come into the Brazil showpiece on the back of a six-match unbeaten run, while Costa Rica could record only one win from the same number of matches.
TEAM NEWS
Uruguay are without Luis Suarez who was top scorer in both the South America qualifying stages and the English Premier League last season. But Uruguay are not lacking firepower upfront with the presence of experienced striker Diego Forlan who has 110 caps to his name as well as PSG front man Edison Cavani. Costa Rica will be without full back Heiner Mora (broken heel) and experienced forward Alvario Saborio.
Odds Comparison:
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| Uruguay | 1.44 | 1.44 | 1.42 | 1.44 | 1.44 | 1.40 |
| Draw | 4.33 | 4.00 | 4.15 | 4.00 | 4.33 | 4.00 |
| Costa Rica | 9.00 | 8.50 | 8.75 | 8.50 | 9.00 | 8.00 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update
Possible line ups
Uruguay (4-3-3) : Muslera; A. Periera, Godin, Lugano, Caceras; Gargano, Alvaro Gonzalez,
Gaston Ramirez; C. Rodriguez, Cavani, Forlan
Costa Rica (4-3-3) : Keylor; Junior Diaz, Gonzalez, Miller, Gamboa; Umana, Borges, Cubero;
Bolanos, Bryan Ruiz, Campbell
KEY BATTLE
Paris Saint Germane striker Edison Cavani would pose the Costa Rica backline all sorts of trouble. The 27-year old is a hard worker and can be expected to run the Central Americans to the ground. He’d probably get his name on the score sheet as well.
ONE TO WATCH
Arsenal’s Joel Campbell who spent last season on loan in Greece with Olympiacos is one to keep an eye on. The 21-year old is capable of asking questions of any defense on his day and will be looking to trouble the Uruguay backline. The quick forward has scored 9 goals in 33 appearances for Costa Rica and won the Greek Super league with Olympiacos last season. His combination with PSV Eindhoven forward Bryan Ruiz (on loan from Fulham) will be looking to penetrate the not-so-solid defense of the South Americans.
PREDICTION
Uruguay are expected to brush aside their Central American opponents in order to kick start their World Cup campaign. Costa Rica are not only expected to finish bottom of their group but are also one of the longest shots in Brazil but will look to at least offer some resistance to Oscar Tabarez’s men. While Luis Suarez is not expected to play, Uruguay still have the likes of Edison Cavani and Diego Forlan to turn to in order to overcome the Costa Ricans.
Uruguay 3 – 1 Costa Rica
