Costa Rica vs Panama
It may only be approaching the halfway stage in CONCACAF qualifying football games but it’s all to play for.
Sports betting experts will tell you should either nation lose this clash in the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, they will start to get twitchy in the race for Russia 2018.
For World Cup qualification is all that matters for two nations with a number of similarities, yet differing fortunes.
The betting odds all point to Costa Rica success but more of that in a moment for here are two neighbouring countries both with sunny weather, beautiful beaches and rainforests which are the envy of many.
Here are two neighbouring countries with honours even after their last two meetings.
Costa Rica triumphed 3-1 in September in qualifying, a month before they saw off Russia in a friendly. They hope to return to the country next summer, of course.
Yet Panama enjoyed a 1-0 victory over their rivals in the Copa Centoramericana at the start of the year.
Only two points separate them in World Cup qualifying and this is second hosting third.
However, that is where the similarities end.
Costa Rica are priced attractively with Asian Handicap odds of 2.08 @ -1.00, while you can stretch to 1X2 Panama @ 5.20 if you fancy an away victory.
Costa Rica have only lost one in six, Panama have one victory in six.
The former have tasted World Cup success and are bidding for their fifth place in the finals.
Last time out they were part of a group which knocked out England as they went onto to reach the quarter-finals, only to lose out to Louis van Gaal’s Holland in a penalty shoot-out.
Panama have never tasted life at a World Cup, the closest they came was four years ago when two late goals meant they missed out on a qualifying play-off.
Under the stewardship of Hernan Dario Gomez, this country has hope and currently has a one point advantage over the United States, the nation which ended its dream back in 2013.
The dream remains, although Costa Rica will be a tough obstacle.
For these neighbours have so much, yet so little in common.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
