Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Friday 6/22/18
WC - Friday's Top Wager
June 21, 2018
By Tom Wilkinson
Brazil vs. Costa Rica
Brazil is heavily favored to defeat Costa Rica in Group E action on Friday in a game that can be seen on FS1. Brazil was held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland in their opener, while Costa Rica was shutout by Serbia 1-0. Brazil is hoping that Neymar is available for this match, as he was seen limping out of training on Tuesday.
Costa Rica is already in serious trouble in Group E and a loss will all but end their chances of making it to the Round of 16. Let’s look at the game on Friday between Brazil and Costa Rica and World Cup picks.
2018 World Cup – Brazil vs. Costa Rica
Date and Time: Friday, June 22, 2018, 8 a.m. ET
Location: Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia
World Cup Odds at BetDSI:
Brazil -500
Costa Rica +1600
Draw +525
Total 2.5 over -130
Brazil -2 +110
Costa Rica +2 -135
Brazil scored just one goal in their draw against Switzerland and it could be that changes are in store in terms of their top striker. Gabriel Jesus started the game against Switzerland but did little, so it could be that Roberto Firmino takes over. Brazil head coach Tite has been stubbornly sticking with Jesus, but there is no question that Firmino played better than Jesus after he took over in the second half.
Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho, who scored the lone goal against the Swiss said that he knows what to expect from Costa Rica. "It's going to be difficult game like any game in the World Cup," Coutinho said to the media. "All games have been balanced. Their game against Serbia was decided by a free kick. They have to be careful. If they are going to be defensive, we will prepare. This is something we will only know on Friday. We will prep for both situations."
Costa Rica will try and keep players back against Brazil and look to get chances on the counterattack. Costa Rica has very few players who can challenge Brazil in terms of goal scoring, but one of those players might be Joel Campbell who came in as a sub against Serbia. Costa Rica may decide to give Campbell the start on Friday, as they look to get someone in the lineup who can score.
Game Notes
Early reports have Neymar expected to play, despite ankle soreness. On the other side, reports have it that Costa Rica is battling within, as goalkeeper Keylor Navas was said to be arguing with teammates this week. Captain Bryan Ruiz said earlier this week that Navas is simply better than his teammates. "You have to understand that Keylor is on another level than the rest of us, but that doesn't mean he's not a great teammate, that he isn't himself around us." Also seen arguing this week were forward Johan Venegas and defender Giancarlo Gonzalez.
Key Stats
Brazil has won nine of its last ten against Costa Rica, with the lone loss coming in a friendly in 1960. Brazil is unbeaten overall in their last five matches with one draw, with three of the five going under the total. Costa Rica is just 1-4 in their last five matches overall, with three of the five going under.
Brazil vs. Costa Rica Free Picks
There is little doubt that Brazil should win this game, as they have more talent all over the field than Costa Rica. The problem with taking Brazil is the line, as laying 5-1 is never appealing, although you can make a case for doing so. It is usually tough to lay two goals in what should be a low scoring match.
I can’t make any case for taking Costa Rica with all of their internal bickering. This has all the look of a 2-0 win for Brazil, so I would lean toward taking Brazil. I would also lean a little bit toward the under, as the only chance Costa Rica has is to play a tight defensive style that keeps Brazil’s chances to a minimum.
Brazil vs. Costa Rica Brazil and Under the Total at BetDSI
Brazil vs. Costa Rica Score Prediction: Brazil 2, Costa Rica 0
Matchday 9 - Best Bets
June 21, 2018
By Toby Maxtone-Smith
World Cup: Matchday 9 Betting Preview
Friday, May 22
Group E Table & Results
Brazil vs. Costa Rica (FS1, 8:00 a.m. ET)
Brazil should have been out of sight by half-time of their opening World Cup match against Switzerland. Playing some superb football, Philippe Coutinho put the Seleção ahead, but their momentum was checked in the second half when Switzerland equalised from a set-piece. From then on the game took on the shape of so many at this World Cup: attack vs defence, with defence coming out on top.
Serbia deservedly got the better of Costa Rica, and this Costa Rica side simply does not look as good as the 2014 vintage. They were far less penetrative going forward.
Even though Costa Rica’s opening day defeat means they need to win at least one of their last two games to get through, they will still set up defensively here.
However they are a much less intimidating defensive unit than the organised Swiss. Neymar limping out of training will be a worry for Brazil, but they still have a wealth of attacking talent to choose from should he not start.
Brazil are 2/9 favourites with Costa Rica 18/1. It might not be a thrashing, but Brazil should win.
Prediction: Brazil 2-0 Costa Rica
Top Bet: Brazil to win to nil at 8/13
Group D Table & Results
Nigeria vs. Iceland (FOX, 11:00 a.m. ET)
Apart from Saudi Arabia, Nigeria were the least impressive team in the first round of matches after they put in a dreadful display of bad passing, slow build-up and general lethargy in a 2-0 defeat to a Croatia side who did not need to get out of third gear.
Iceland, meanwhile, put in a predictably inspired performance of grit, togetherness and no shortage of attacking spirit in a 1-1 draw with Argentina at one of the tournament’s best games so far.
Iceland are perfectly suited to tournament football. They are basically a defensive side employing a simple but highly effective strategy. They have enough quality to score goals when needed and their team spirit is probably unrivalled by anyone at this World Cup.
Despite having a populating nearly 1,000 times larger, Nigeria could struggle here and become the third African side to go home after the first two games.
Iceland are perhaps less suited to a game where there is pressure on them to win. But the prices suggest that they and Nigeria are impossible to split. I disagree.
Prediction: Nigeria 0-1 Iceland
Top Bet: Iceland at 21/10
Serbia vs. Swtizerland (FOX, 2:00 p.m. ET)
Group E Table & Results
From the moment the draw for the World Cup was made, Serbia’s match against Switzerland caught the eye as a potential group decider. That has been complicated slightly by Switzerland’s draw with Brazil, but this remains a massive match for both teams.
Both teams’ approaches will depend heavily on whether Brazil beat Costa Rica. If they do, then Switzerland would probably be content with a draw. Serbia, meanwhile, will go for the win with Brazil last up in the group.
Switzerland should never be underestimated. They are less likely to throw in a dreadful performance than Serbia, but Serbia are also more likely to put Switzerland to the sword.
Serbia’s star in the opening match was Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who controlled the match from an advanced midfield position. Their goal came through an Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick, but they also missed a host of chances with Aleksandar Mitrovic especially culpable.
Bookmakers can barely separate the teams with Serbia 9/5 and Switzerland 19/10. But a draw would be no disaster for either side, and that looks the best value.
Prediction: Serbia 1-1 Switzerland
Top Bet: Draw at 21/10