Two teams placed at the bottom of the World Cup’s Group E prepare to do battle in a mouth-watering clash as Costa Rica take on Germany at the Al Bayt Stadium. It really is all to play for in this one as Mlu previews…
To Win Match
Costa Rica 20/1 | Draw 9/1 | Germany 1/12
Los Ticos kept their qualification hopes alive following that crucial 1-0 win over Japan on Sunday, with Keysher Fuller netting the winning goal of the match with nine minutes left of regulation time.
I will be the first to admit that I did not see them bounce back in such impressive fashion following that 7-0 drubbing against Spain, but Costa Rica are a sharp and determined side. They are only the ninth team in the World Cup to recover from such an embarrassing score line (conceding at least seven goals) and record a win their next one.
Having said that; Costa Rica are still in danger as they come up against a winless German machine, desperate to give a good account of themselves at this world cup. Their defence is among the worst in the competition this year, and they cannot afford to concede any more goals if they are to stand a chance at qualifying to the next round.
In their win over Japan, coach Luis Fernando Suarez had made two changes to the starting XI which lost to Spain. The switch to a back-three certainly blocked Japan and may be the approach he takes up against Germany.
Their hopes of advancing are dependent on Japan losing to Spain in the other fixture of Group E – provided get a point or three from the Germans, of course.
Following a loss and a draw at the hands of Japan and Spain respectively, Germany are literally facing the exit door of the competition and must secure a win in this match if they are to book a spot in the next round.
They too will hope for Japan to lose against Spain because if they win, it’s game over for Die Mannschaft.
Having snatched their first point in this World Cup when Fullkrug got the equalizer after Morata’s superb flick gave Spain a deserved lead, the Germans will undoubtably go all out on Thursday in a bid to avoid a repeat of their 2018 World Cup exit.
A 10-minute defensive lapse cost them against Japan, and I thought they were impressive against Spain in their last outing. Their opponents don’t possess much of a threat in attack either, having attempted just four shots at the World Cup and scoring only one of those against Japan.
I still feel they were unfortunate to go down against Japan after their stellar attacking display, and even showed defensive solidity against one of the better attacking teams in the tournament. Therefore, they should have no problems holding Costa Rica at bay here.
Verdict: Germany (1/12)
The lack of attacking threat from Costa Rica will prove costly against the four-time World Champions.
I expect Die Mannschaft to break down the defence-heavy Los Ticos side and do all that they can to push for a top-two finish.
