Uruguay v Costa Rica 1x2 predictions and betting tips

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Uruguay v Costa Rica 1x2 predictions and betting tips World Cup 2014, International	14/06/2014 21:00	full time result	Uruguay	1.44	Bet at B
Betting prediction was written by Dan Adair

URUGUAY v COSTA RICA:QUALIFICATION

Uruguay reach the finals after scraping through in the intercontinental playoff. They finished 5^th in South America and had to face off against Jordan. A 5-0 2 legged win was achieved thanks to a 5-0 win in Jordan. Strike partnership of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani netted 17 between them and will be a force here too. Costa Rica arrive in Brazil thanks to a superb home showing in CONCACAF qualifiers. They finished 2^nd in the group behind USA and beat Mexico which surprised many. A slight worry for Los Ticos was their inability to win away from home. 0 wins in 5 away matches but winning all home games was impressive.

THE URUGUAY SQUAD

Coach: Oscar Tabarez

Goalkeepers : 1.Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), 23.Martin Silva (Vasco da Gama), 12.Rodrigo Munoz (Libertad).

Defenders: 16.Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica), 2.Diego Lugano *C* (West Bromwich Albion), 3.Diego Godin, 19.Jose Maria Gimenez (both Atletico Madrid), 4.Sebastian Coates (Liverpool), 22.Martin Caceres (Juventus), 13.Jorge Fucile (Porto).

Midfielders: 20.Alvaro Gonzalez (Lazio), 6.Alvaro Pereira (Sao Paulo), 5.Walter Gargano (Parma), 17.Egidio Arevalo Rios (Morelia), 15.Diego Perez (Bologna), 7.Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), 18.Gaston Ramirez (Southampton), 14.Nicolas Lodeiro (Botafogo).

Forwards: 9.Luis Suarez (Liverpool), 21.Edinson Cavani (Paris St Germain), 8.Abel Hernandez (Palermo), 10.Diego Forlan (Cerezo Osaka), 11.Christian Stuani (Espanyol)

Luis Suarez misses out here but Uruguay should still be too strong as the forward line is top quality. Midfield and defence are decent enough. Uruguay will play all the dirty tactics and will put their foot in for sure.

THE COSTA RICA SQUAD

Coach: Jorge Luis Pinto

Goalkeepers: 1.Keylor Navas (Levante), 18.Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense) 23.Daniel Cambronero (Herediano).

Defenders: 2.Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense), 3.Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew), 4.Michael Umana (Saprissa), 6.Oscar Duarte (Bruges), 12.Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew), 8.Heiner Mora (Saprissa), 15.Junior Diaz (Mainz 05), 16.Christian Gamboa (Rosenborg), 19.Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls).

Midfielders: 5.Celso Borges (AIK), 7.Christian Bolanos (Copenhagen), 13.Esteban Granados (Herediano), 11.Michael Barrantes (Aalesund), 17.Yeltsin Tejeda (Saprissa), 20.Diego Calvo (Valerenga), 22.Jose Miguel Cubero (Herediano).

Forwards: 10.Bryan Ruiz *C* (PSV Eindhoven, on loan from Fulham), 9.Joel Campbell (Olympiakos, on loan from Arsenal),14. Randall Brenes (Cartagines), 21.Marco Urena (FC Kuban Krasnodar).

Costa Rica have been written off by most football writers already. They are strong enough at home and qualified with a perfect home record. However they do not travel well. Little real quality here and Ruiz, Campbell and Bolanos the only real outfield quality. Keeper Keylor Navas is one of the top keepers in the game at the moment though.

WARM UP GAMES

Uruguay have only played the two warm up games - but have taken 2 low scoring wins and have yet to concede a goal. They opened up with a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland in Montevideo. The opposition are very limited in this one and Uruguay managed to sneak a win without Godin or Suarez. They made a lot of changes and in truth laboured against a poor side. Next up was Slovenia, a step up from Northern Ireland but still miles away from England or Italy. Again Uruguay played at the capital and again they missed Suarez. Not overly impressive in either game and two easy wins against sides a million miles away from reaching finals.

Costa Rica played two games of their own and have not recorded a win. They opened up with a 3-1 loss to Japan in Florida. With a very defensive 5-2-2-1 they were picked apart by a Japan side a level below England, Italy and Uruguay. They did score a nice goal though through Brian Ruiz. In truth this could have been a rout but for excellent keeping from Navas. Costa Rica were equally as shoddy in the next fixture, a 1-1 draw with an average Republic of Ireland in USA also. Again defensively poor, they had a red card in this game too. Costa Rica did look dangerous on the break with Campbell and Celso Borges looking good. However Ireland are another limited side way below the quality in this group.

MATCH ANALYSIS

Uruguay will have to win this game as their remaining two games are so difficult . Uruguay will aim to keep it tight and will take a 1-0 win. Costa Rica will seek to avoid defeat and a clean sheet is their main objective with a 5 man back line and two shielding central midfielders. However they have looked vulnerable with slow defenders almost falling over themselves. Uruguay will hope Cavani can produce the goods in the absence of Suarez and I think he will. If Japan and Ireland can score past Costa Rica you would have to fancy Uruguay.

BETTING TIPS 1x2

Uruguay are selected here to open up with a comfortable win. Costa Rica will play right into their hands by trying to defend deep. A tactic that the Uruguay attack will thrive upon. I dont take Uruguay to kick on though and a win is enough for them at 1-0.

Back Uruguay to win at 1.44 (4/9) with Bet365.