Friday 20/06/2014, 18:00, World Cup Group C, Italy vs Costa Rica

Italy vs Costa Rica Betting Preview

Costa Rica is the underdog of group C and it has no problem in acting as one, because the South Americans don't have high expectations. Their goal at the World Cup is to collect as many points as possible and if opportunity presents itself, to win the game. It is hard to believe that they will collect points against England or Uruguay and Italy should be just as difficult. The Italians are highly motivated to win that fixture, knowing that England and Uruguay lock horns in the other game of this round.

Italy vs Costa Rica Betting Odds

At Bet365

Italy 1.30, Draw 5.30, Costa Rica 8.80

Italy vs Costa Rica Betting Tips

This is definitely not the first time that Italy brings an aging formation to the World Cup and past performance suggests that this can even be a recipe for success. What is worth mentioning is that in addition to the overly experienced defenders and midfielders, the Italians have some young blood upfront and except for Cassano, no striker is above 27 years old.

Balotelli, Destro, Insigne and Immobile are all top scorer for their clubs and they will be competing for the two positions in Prandelli's 4-4-2 starting formation. The Italian manager can consider himself lucky to have so many options upfront, a luxury that his predecessors couldn't afford.

Dropping points to Costa Rica would equal elimination from the World Cup in the worst possible manner and this sort of result would lead to the manager's immediate sacking. It goes without saying that both the coach and the players will do everything they can to avoid this worst-case scenario. The good news is that the obvious answer is also within reach as a 90 min. of siege should deliver positive results.

Key Facts

• Italy is in terrible form if we are to focus exclusively on the recent fixture, with four of the last five games ending undecided and Spain defeated them in the most recent friendly game.
• Costa Rica wasn't too sharp in friendly games either and lost three in a row without scoring a goal

Italy vs Costa Rica Betting Odds Prediction

This match should result in a lopsided victory for Italy, which won't resort to its favorite strategy of scoring early and defending a lead. They simply can't afford to take chances against Costa Rica and they have no reason to find shelter in a defensive shell, when they have such strikers. As far as punters are concerned, the only way of betting on Italy is by accepting the -1.5 goals spread, because otherwise the odds are too low.

Bet: Italy -1.5 goals @ 2.00 with Bet365