2014 World Cup: Costa Rica vs England Preview

June 23, 2014
By: Deke Hardman

Costa Rica squad

World Cup Group D leaders Costa Rica face an already eliminated England side in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday, looking to maintain their 100% record in the competition.

The CONCACAF side have proved to be the surprise package of this summer’s tournament in Brazil having already beaten both Uruguay and Italy to secure their qualification to the knockout stages and they are likely wrap up first place in the group, as only a heavy defeat here could potentially jeopardise their position.

They are likely to make a number of changes for the game with Saturday’s last sixteen clash in mind so Kuban Krasnodar forward Marcos Urena may start having been used as a late substitute in both matches so far.

The 24 year old is 15.0 (14/1) with Paddy Power to score the first goal of the game, with Joel Campbell a 9.0 (8/1) shot with a variety of bookmakers.

Costa Rica are widely available at a generous price of 4.33 (10/3) to win the match, with England odds on for victory, at 1.91 (10/11) with Paddy Power. The draw is 3.9 (29/10) with Bet 365.

England’s fate was confirmed by Costa Rica’s win over Italy on Friday, after Roy Hodgson’s men had already lost to both Cesare Prandelli’s men and to Uruguay.

A much changed line-up is expected, with Frank Lampard set to captain in the side in what could well be his last international appearance while Luke Shaw and Ross Barkley could also start.

Wayne Rooney, who netted his first ever World Cup goal last time out, is 7.0 (6/1) with Paddy Power to open the scoring, with Lampard a 15.0 (14/1) chance with Ladbrokes.

This will be the first ever meeting between the sides, and with next to nothing riding on the game, there could well be goals.

With this in mind, you may want to take advantage of the widely available price of 1.8 (4/5) for both teams to score, while 888 Sport offer 2.0 (1/1) for there to be three or more goals scored in the game.

We Highly Recommend These Places
Share your Opinion!