Thursday 19/06/2014, 00:00, World Cup Group C, Colombia vs Ivory Coast

Colombia vs Ivory Coast Betting Preview

The odds for Colombia to have its best striker fit to play at the World Cup 2014 are slim, so the South Americans will need to do without Falcao. The fact that bookies didn't revise the odds given to them prior to Monaco's forward serious injury is reassuring, but they can't dwell on these odds. Winning group C is within their reach but in order to advance to the next stage it is essential not to drop points against the Ivory Coast.

Colombia vs Ivory Coast Betting Odds

At Bet365

Ivory Coast 4.20, Draw 3.30, Colombia 1.90

Colombia vs Ivory Coast Betting Tips

The Africans are an extremely ambitious lot with players that spearhead the offensives of some of the best European clubs. As with many other African teams, the backline is the Achilles heel for the Ivory Coast and this is what Columbia needs to focus on to secure all three points.

Drogba is the striker that everyone fears when facing the Ivory Coast, but a closer look at their starting formation will highlight the fact that there are other forwards to fear. Bony and Kalou have scored more goals for their teams in 2014 and they are also younger than Didier, which means that they are expected to get more face time.

The midfield also features fairly experienced players, but the defenders are going to be a problem, just as they were throughout the string of friendly games. The Ivory Coast won a single friendly match in more than a year and the allowed an average of two goals in the last four games, regardless of competition.

Colombia will rely on Martinez and Bacca if Falcao doesn't make a miraculous return to fitness, but the two strikers are good enough to score against the African nation. They proved their worth at Porto and Sevilla, with the latter being an invaluable asset for the team that won Europa League this season.

Key Facts

• It's been almost a year since the Ivory Coast has kept a clean sheet in a match played against Nigeria in the African Nations cup.
• Colombia uses a 4-3-3 starting formation that is perfect for dealing with a team whose defense crumbles when opponents exercise constant pressure on the wings.

Colombia vs Ivory Coast Betting Odds Prediction

Colombia needs to have 6 points after the first two games at the World Cup, to make sure they advance to the last 16 as group winners. They don't need a major test in the first elimination round, when they can easily deal with a bunch of teams too frightened by their potent attack to even attempt anything offensively. Bet365 has some of the best odds at 1.90, but they will probably drop as kickoff draws near, so punters shouldn't postpone the wager.

Bet: Colombia @ 1.90 with Bet365