Costa Rica v Greece To Qualify Prediction and betting tip

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Costa Rica v Greece To Qualify Prediction and betting tip World Cup 2014, International	29/06/2014 22:00	other	Greece to Qualify	2.05	Bet at B
Betting prediction was written by Colin

COSTA RICA V GREECE: PREDICTIONS AND BETTING TIPS

Few would have predicted this as a last sixteen game when the tournament began, but both sides deserve their place and the winner will guarantee an unlikely quarter final spot.

COSTA RICA: STORY SO FAR

Few expected Costa Rica to progress from what looked a tough group, and even fewer as group winners. But after two wins and a draw top the group they did with some impressive displays, and the only goal they conceded was from a penalty kick.

Things began with a 3-1 victory over Uruguay, when after trailing to a twenty fourth penalty a spirited second half display turned the game around for a 3-1 win. Joel Campbell impressed greatly here with a goal and an assist, and the win was fully deserved.

This was followed up with a 1-0 win against Italy in which they frustrated and limited the Italians to very few chances in a cracking team effort. Bryan Ruiz grabbed the vital winner on the stroke of half time and the Costa Ricans were again good value for the win.

Third up it was a much changed England side, who were already eliminated, and Costa Rica already qualified made changes and produced their least effective display so far, though still managed to keep a clean sheet and get a draw.

GREECE: STORY SO FAR

It did not look good for Greece after their opening match ended in a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Colombia, and though they were well beaten they did have chances in that game. None more so than Gekas glaring miss when the score was still 1-0.

Next up was a 0-0 draw with Japan where the Greeks had to show their defensive resolve after being reduced to ten men for over fifty minutes of the game. With only 30% of possession it was a real backs to the wall job, but the point gained was to prove priceless for Greece.

Greece knew they had to beat Ivory Coast in their final game to qualify, and a slightly more adventurous approach was therefore needed. Early substitutions due to injury (including the keeper) were needed, but it was substitute Samaris who gave Greece the lead just before half time. With Ivory Coast needing a goal now the Greeks defended stoutly, and looked very threatening on the counter attack themselves. When it went 1-1 in the seventy fifth minute it looked all over for Greece, but they kept pushing and were rewarded with a penalty award in the ninety third minute, which Samaras slotted to put Greece into the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

TEAM NEWS:

Captain Katsouranis will return from suspension for Greece to bolster their midfield area, but first choice keeper Karnezis and midfielder Kone are doubts after going off early in the win over Ivory Coast. Costa Rica appear to have no injury concerns ahead of the game.

RUN OF PLAY:

Both sides have a defensive style of play with Costa Rica adopting a 5-4-1 formation that has worked well so far, and Greece very much focussed on defence, so it will be intriguing to see who attempts to come out on the front foot here. It is most likely that we will be in for a very cagey contest here and a single goal could easily decide matters, and it would be no surprise if it went to extra time or even penalties with so much at stake. Costa Rica have been the underdogs thus far, so it will be interesting to see how they cope as favourites for a change, and Greece who won Euro 2004 could just edge this in my view as they draw on all of their experience.

COSTA RICA V GREECE: TO QUALIFY BETTING TIPS

Greece to qualify at 2.05(21/20)Bet365 looks the best bet to me. With a very tight game anticipated the 1X2 market offers little in the way of value, as extra time or even penalties could be a real player here. My feeling is that there is very little between these teams and it could come down to the greater experience of Greece to swing it their way as the game goes on. Costa Rica rightly received the plaudits for topping Group D, but it probably wasn’t the group of death many predicted ahead of the tournament, with England and Italy both performing well below expectations. Costa Rica could become frustrated by Greece, and that will play right into the Greek game plan enabling them to come out on top.

Back Greece to Qualify with Bet365 here

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