Despite the absence of Radamel Falcao, most football experts still predict Colombia to have more than enough firepower to top Group C. The Colombian attack will get its first chance to prove that it can be a World Cup force without its star striker when it meets the defensive might of 2004 European Champions Greece on June 14 in Belo Horizonte.
Colombia vs. Greece figures to be another classic battle of offense vs. defense. Create a betting account today and read on to see which side prevails.
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Greece vs. Colombia, World Cup 2014, Group Stage Betting Preview and Prediction
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Greece won’t catch anyone off-guard with its tactics like in the World Cup. Everyone knows the Greeks will set up in their first game against group favorites Colombia the same way it shockingly won the European Championship ten years ago: with a conservative approach, a packed midfield and a solid defensive shape.
Greece conceded just four times in 10 World Cup qualifying matches, and that impressive Greek defense looks ready to go for Brazil. In their three warm-up matches against Portugal, Nigeria and Bolivia, they went undefeated (1-2-0) and surrendered just one goal.
Despite scoring twice against Bolivia in their final warm-up match, the Greeks likely won’t risk attacking very often against a Colombia team capable of quick counterattacks. But even if they do venture forward, misfiring forwards Georgios Samaras and Kostas Mitroglou will struggle to take advantage of any opportunities. Set pieces may be the best way to goal for the Greeks.
Betting on Colombia
Losing a striker of Radamel Falcao’s caliber would’ve left many teams scrambling for striking options; there are no such concerns for Colombia, who are overflowing with quality strikers. The bigger concern for manager Jose Pekerman seems to be which among those options will play against Greece.
Jackson Martinez, Adrian Ramos and Teofilo Gutierrez are all very good choices, but Carlos Bacca looks to be the frontrunner. Bacca impressed in their 2-2 draw against Senegal, where he scored a goal and set up the other.
Whomever Pekerman picks will likely be a lone frontman ahead of a dangerous midfield trio. Victor Ibarbo and Juan Cuadrado will be a handful for the Greek fullbacks out wide, while the young and talented James Rodriguez has the quality to confound the middle of Greece’s defense.
The center of Colombia’s defense is the most obvious weakness in the team, but Greece hardly has the speed, the quality or the ambition to give it much trouble.
Writer’s Prediction
Colombia’s offense looks very good on paper, but almost all of them are unknown quantities in the big stage and could get some opening game jitters. Meanwhile, the Greeks are one of the most reliable defensive units in international football today, so expect this to a lower-scoring game. Take the total to go under 2.0 goals.
