Well, we had a very good day with Monday’s tips. I hope you took our advice and made some money. Tuesday’s games should be entertaining with qualification from Groups C and D still up for grabs. One of the great things about this World Cup is that no teams have run away with it in the group stages. It’s still all to play for. Odds are quoted from Bovada for US readers.
Costa Rica v England
The tournament may be over for England, but for Cost Rica they have a great chance to grab the win which will see them finish top of Group D. Costa Rica have been one of the many surprise packages of this year’s World Cup thanks to their counter-attacking style and work ethic. Today they face an England side much changed from the team that failed against Italy and Uruguay with Roy Hodgson taking the opportunity to give game time to the rest of his squad.
This could work in England’s favour with a ‘fearless’ young side being given the chance to prove themselves, but looking at England’s defence it looks very disjointed to me. It is an entirely different goalkeeper and back four and I would have concerns about naming a defence that has never played together before. For this reason I am tipping Costa Rica for the win at 10/3 with Betfred, Coral and BoyleSports or 16/5 with Bovada. It is too big a price for a team who can guarantee top spot with a win. Arsenal’s Joel Campbell will have something to prove against an English defence and he is 8/1 with Ladbrokes for first goalscorer. The same bet is 15/2 with Bovada.
Top Bet: Costa Rica to win at 10/3 (Coral) or 16/5 (Bovada)
Italy v Uruguay
This is the big one in Group D. Uruguay need a win to qualify while a draw will be enough to see Italy through. Both teams have been unconvincing so far, but Uruguay looked to be heading in the right direction against England. The return of Suarez is a massive boost and an ageing Italian defence may struggle to cope with him.
That said, it is unusual for Italy not to get a result when they need it. They are masters of grinding out a result and I think they will get the draw needed to see them through. The draw is 12/5 with BetVictor and Bet365 and 23/10 with Bovada. Suarez is worth a bet to score at any time at 7/4 with Bet365 or 11/8 with Bovada.
Top Bet: Italy and Uruguay to draw at 12/5 (BetVictor) or 23/10 (Bovada).
Greece v Ivory Coast
Greece need to beat Ivory Coast and hope Columbia beat Japan if they want to qualify while a draw would suit Ivory Coast. The Greeks have looked uninspired up until now and have been content to keep things tight at the back and hope for the best. Ivory Coast have been unpredictable to say the least. They have a talented squad, but look error-prone. On their day they would fancy their chances against most sides, but you never know what Ivory Coast team is going to turn up.
They are 11/10 for the win with William Hill, Coral and Paddy Power and I think this is a safe bet. You can get them at Evens with Bovada. Didier Drogba will probably be playing in his last World Cup and he has had few opportunities in this year’s tournament. He is 5/1 with Bet365, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power or 9/2 Bovada to grab the first goal.
Top Bet: Ivory Coast to win at 11/10 (Coral) or 1/1 (Bovada).
Japan v Columbia
I can’t see anything other than a Columbia win for this one. They have been very impressive and very professional in their approach so far. I don’t think they will let this professionalism slip at this late stage. Japan have struggled to find the net and against a Columbia team that has only conceded one goal, I don’t think this will change. Columbia are a surprisingly decent 11/8 with BetFred and Totesport or 6/5 with Bovada to win.
The bookmakers must be expecting Columbia to take their foot off the gas.I can’t see it. Columbia at half time/full time is an ever more decent 29/10 with BetVictor and 11/4 with Bovada. James Rodriguez is making a big name for himself at this World Cup and he is 11/4 with 888.Sport to score at any time. The same bet is 21/10 with Bovada.
Top Bet: James Rodriguez to score at any time at 11/4 (888Sport) or 21/10 (Bovada).
