2010 World Cup semifinalists Uruguay will be eased into this year’s group stage action as it first faces the minnows of Group D, Costa Rica. The Uruguayans have a golden opportunity to get a head start on either England or Italy one of this tournament’s Groups of Death.
Uruguay’s quest for the cup only gets harder from here. Create a betting account now and see if they can navigate past their very difficult group.
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Costa Rica vs. Uruguay, World Cup 2014, Group Stage Betting Preview and Prediction
Costa Rica depended on some sturdy defending during qualifying – they surrendered a CONCACAF-low seven goals in 10 games – to book its ticket to Brazil. But since then, that rock-solid defense has crumbled. They’ve conceded 11 goals in six games since, leading to a disappointing 1-1-4 record.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Costa Rica did show some resolve in their final warm-up match, a 1-1 draw against Ireland. The Ticos fought hard and earned a draw despite being down to ten men. Playing Uruguay will feel like they’re one man down even at full strength, but the grit and determination they showed is encouraging for their chances of avoiding a thrashing.
Costa Rica will almost surely keep as many players behind the ball as possible to defend and make life difficult for Uruguay’s talented frontmen. Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell will be the two players furthest forward, but even they will spend more time in their own half than Uruguay’s.
Betting on Uruguay
Despite not featuring in any of Uruguay’s warm-up games, Luis Suarez is still on track to play in the opener against Costa Rica. Suarez is coming off an amazing season with Liverpool in which he scored 31 goals, but he’s been fighting to get back to fitness since undergoing a knee procedure.
With Costa Rica likely to be as stubborn as possible by playing ultra-defensive, Suarez’s movement and quality will make it so much easier for Uruguay to find a way through to goal.
But even if Suarez doesn’t pass fit to start, Uruguay should still have too much going forward for Los Ticos. Edinson Cavani and 2010 Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan are both major goal threats and combine well as a strike partnership; Forlan set up Cavani’s goal in the team’s 2-0 tune-up game win over Slovenia. The other goalscorer in that game, striker Christian Stuani, has scored four goals in his last eight appearances.
Uruguay is not exactly rock solid at the back, but its defense likely won’t be given much to worry about by a Costa Rica frontline severely lacking in attacking talent.
It isn’t enough for Uruguay simply to win this game. With the first tie-break in the group stage +/-, the Uruguayans will be keen to run up the score before Italy and England get their shot – the amount of goals scored by each team against Costa Rica could end up being critical in determining the second seed in this group.
Writer’s Prediction
Expect Suarez to lace up his boots for the opening kick-off as Uruguay begins its World Cup campaign with a convincing win. With Uruguay the overwhelming favorites to win, the spread offers the most value. Take Uruguay to cover at -1 goal.
