Match Preview: Costa Rica 0-1 Serbia Prediction and Betting Tips | World Cup (Group E)

Costa Rica – Serbia betting tips for today, June 17, 2018.
Kick-off: 13:00
Football: World Cup – Group E
Tip: Over 1.5 Goals
Odds: 1.54
Bookmaker: (Unibet)
Match Result: 0:1 LOST

Match Preview

The action in Group E gets underway with an intriguing World Cup (WC) clash. Oscar Ramirez’s Costa Rica have qualified for their fifth finals and the team will be hoping to better their run to the quarter-finals in 2014, while this will be Serbia’s fourth finals since the break-up of Yugoslavia.
Serbia topped a tough group in qualifying, although still made the baffling decision to sack Slavoljub Muslin. Yet, judging by their recent form, Serbia are the favourites, having gone unbeaten in five of their last eight games, (W4, D1, L3), albeit against weaker opposition than Costa Rica.
Costa Rica lost their final two friendly games by a humbling aggregate 6-1 scoreline. Forebodingly, both were played in Europe, contributing to Costa Rica’s poor record from their last eight games overall (W2, L6). Furthermore, the Tico’s have scored more than a single goal in only one of their last ten games.
Considering this group contains both Brazil and Switzerland, these two teams are outsiders to win the group. Thus, a win is crucial for both teams where progress to the knockouts is concerned. This will be the first meeting between the sides in history.
Players to watch: Keylor Navas was arguably Costa Rica’s shining star at the last WC, as many memorable moments from the Real Madrid keeper helped them to the last eight.
Aleksandar Mitrovic was Serbia’s top scorer in qualifying with six goals. In the season just gone, he was a key player in Fulham’s Championship promotion push, scoring 12 from 20 appearances.
Stat attack: A curious trend favours Serbia. Nine of the last ten eventual winners from a Europe-based WC finals have been European.
Seven of Costa Rica’s ten qualifying games finished with under 2.5 goals scored in total.
Qualifying games involving Serbia averaged exactly three goals per game, with two for Serbia (P10 – GF20, GA10).

Match Preview by FlashScore.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *