COSTA RICA v SERBIA
Live on ITV. Sunday, June 17. Kick-off 1pm
COSTA RICA reached the quarter-finals in Brazil four years ago but look a pale imitation of that side despite having Real Madrid No.1 Keylor Navas as the last line of a rugged defence.
Other familiar names include ex-Premier League journeymen Brian Ruiz and Joel Campbell while Celtic misfit Cristian Gamboa is a pacy but limited right-back.
The Central Americans are highly unlikely to repeat their success of 2014 but will hope to make life difficult for rivals in Group E where Serbia and Switzerland are set to scrap it out for second place behind Brazil.
Serbia will look to Serie A sensation Sergej Milinkovic-Savic for inspiration in his first major tournament. The Lazio midfielder is one of the most sought-after players in Europe thanks to his stunning club form and will be handed a key role after being snubbed by previous Serbia boss Slavoljub Muslin.
The Serbs, who also have English-based stars Menanja Matic, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Tadic in their side, topped their qualifying section but will require patience to break down Costa Rica in what is likely to be a cagey affair.
Both sides will be desperate not to start with defeat and a half-time stalemate has a fair chance in a clash unlikely to feature loads of goals.
Serb striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, fresh from the high of promotion with Fulham, warmed up for the finals with a hat-trick and double in recent friendlies and could be the man to break the Costa Ricans' resistance.
Super Single
- Draw at half-time (Evens, Betfair)
First scorer
- Mitrovic (21-5, Marathonbet)
Bonkers Bet
- Serbia 1, Costa Rica 0 (5-1, bet365)
Bet Builder
- Serbia win
- Over 4 Serbia corners
- Under 2.5 goals
- Both teams to score – NO
- (9-2, bet365)
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