Costa Rica v England 1x2 predictions and betting tips

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Costa Rica v England 1x2 predictions and betting tips World Cup Qualifiers, International	24/06/2014 18:00	full time result	Draw	3.80	Bet at B
Betting prediction was written by Dan Adair

COSTA RICA v ENGLAND : GAMES SO FAR

Costa Rica have surprised everyone with two impressive wins. Opening up with a deserved 3-1 over Uruguay. They superior in all departments and were full value for the win. Everybody thought this was a fluke and thought they would bounce back to earth with a loss to Italy. Not to be, again they played their game to perfection. Already through they are the driving seat for the group and a draw will be enough to take top spot. England are already on the plane home after two 2-1 defeats. They played well in the opener and more than matched Italy but lacked the ability to seal the game. Sterling and Sturridge sparkled and they looked good offensively. Defending was poor though and they paid the price. Second match was a non event as they never really turned up against a mediocre Uruguay. Luis Suarez was the key man as the Liverpool striker scored two class goals that separated the team. England looked jaded, possibly the effects of a Manaus hangover.

THE ENGLAND SQUAD

Coach: Roy Hodgson

Goalkeepers: 1.Joe Hart (Man City), 13.Ben Foster (WBA), 22.Fraser Forster (Celtic).

Defenders: 2.Glen Johnson (Liverpool), 5.Gary Cahill (Chelsea), 6.Phil Jagielka (Everton), 16.Phil Jones (Man United), 12.Chris Smalling (Man United), 3.Leighton Baines (Everton), 23.Luke Shaw (Southampton).

Midfielders: 4.Steven Gerrard *C* (Liverpool), 8.Frank Lampard (Chelsea), 7.Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), 14.Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), 15.Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), James Milner (Man City), 19.Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), 20.Adam Lallana (Southampton), 21.Ross Barkley (Everton).

Forwards: 10.Wayne Rooney (Man United), 11.Danny Welbeck (Man United), 9.Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), 18.Rickie Lambert (Southampton).

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).

MATCH ANALYSIS

This game has been turned on its head with Costa Rica winning both matches so far, beating the two teams who have in turn beaten England. Costa Rica have been assured, technically sound and full of confidence. England have had two different performances; Dynamic and adventurous against Italy but subdued and average against Uruguay. They lost both games and are on their way home.

BETTING TIPS 1X2

The form lines are all here so it looks like England will go home without a win. The odds are huge on Costa Rica here given they beat Italy & Uruguay and England lost to both sides. I feel Hodgson could go with a scratch side here, playing a few guys who have yet to feature with a few players penciled in for the Euro 2016 qualifying. Costa Rica actually don’t need to win this one so no need for them to bust a gut. I think a draw is good value here.

Back draw at 3.80 (14/5) with Bet365.