Costa Rica vs Serbia
It’s been eight long years since Serbia bombed out at South Africa 2010, and now Mladan Krstajic’s men are out for redemption.
Missing out altogether in 2014, the Serb’s most vivid and painful World Cup memories are of arriving in South Africa as qualifying group winners, only to finish bottom of their group in the showcase finals. Meanwhile, as Serbia looked on, Costa Rica had a blast in Brazil, reaching the quarter finals to stun the football world. Recent form suggests a repeat of that incredible feat is highly unlikely.
So when Serbia meet Los Ticos in their World Cup 2018 opener at the Samara Arena, there’s a whole lot at stake with both teams having a point to prove.
Talking Points
With Brazil and Switzerland also in Group E, this is a game neither team can afford to lose. But Serbia will really expect to kick off their campaign with a priceless win.
The big World Cup 2018 news for Serbia fans has been the form of Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovoc-Savic. The young midfielder has impressed mightily in Serie A, and former international coach Slavoljub Muslin’s failure to recognise his talent led to his sacking. His successor Mladen Krstajic hasn’t made the same mistake, and he could reap the benefits if Milinkovic-Savic replicates his club form at the World Cup.
At 6ft 4in, he’s an imposing presence in midfield with attacking flair and an ability to break up play with his tough tackling. Rated at £150m, he’s been the subject of attention from Manchester United and Real Madrid. But it looks like he may be on his way to Juventus.
Alongside him in midfield we’re likely to see Manchester United’s lanky enforcer Nemanja Matic, while up front they have the rejuvenated Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has had a superb loan spell at promoted Fulham in the English Championship and scored six goals in qualifying.
Oscar Ramirez’ Costa Rica comes into this opener on the back of a 2-0 defeat to England and a 4-1 thumping at the hands of Belgium, making FIFA 2018 odds have Los Ticos rank as outsiders. Somehow, Ramirez needs to remind them of their wonderful achievements of 2014 in Brazil, where they topped a group containing three former World Cup winners in Uruguay, England and Italy. But four years is a long time, and recent memories are not quite so happy.
Nevertheless, expect them to give it a good go. Ramirez was part of the squad which reached the knockout stages in Italy in 1990 and so he has the ambition to recapture former glories. And he will look to the pace of 28-year-old Marco Urena to provide service for his strikers. Former Fulham man Bryan Ruiz could also make an appearance up front and will hope to add to his 23 international goals.
Real Madrid keeper Keylor Navas is Costa Rica’s best player and gave them a good run in the 2014 tournament, keeping three clean sheets in five games. He’s had a glittering career for Real Madrid since, but could have done better in the recent friendly with England when he should have saved Marcus Rashford’s long-range effort.
History
Five defeats in seven in the run-up to the World Cup is hardly encouraging form for Los Ticos but, to be fair, the last two games were against highly fancied Belgium and England. But whether they can repeat the great achievement of 2014 is very doubtful.
Serbia’s best World Cup performance was a semi-final appearance in 1962, and they arrive in Russia having won their qualifying Group D after Aleksandar Kolarov scored the only goal in the deciding match against Georgia. They have had recent wins over Nigeria and Bolivia punctuated by a one-goal defeat to Chile, and look in good shape to at least avoid landing in the bottom spot again.
Los Ticos may have something to say about that and, as it’s the first meeting between Serbia and Costa Rica, bragging rights are up for grabs.
What are the odds?
As you’d expect, World Cup 2018 odds have Serbia are favourite to win this opener at 1.94, with Costa Rica at 4.10 and 3.35 the draw.
But it could be a tight game and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a one-goal margin. SBOBET Asian Handicap sports betting offers Serbia to win at 1.98 with a -0.50 goal handicap and Costa Rica at 1.95 with half a goal start.
Goals may be hard to come by, particularly if Navas is in top form, and you can back under 2.00 goals at 2.05, or over at odds of 1.85.
Serbia, at 2.10 to qualify from Group E, are just behind Switzerland, and can make a real statement of intent with a win against Los Ticos.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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