The second match in the Copa America 2016 on Saturday night sees Colombia taking on Costa Rica in Group A which unless you are the most optimistic Costa Rican in the world is nothing but a dead rubber. Indeed by the time the match is played it might officially be a dead rubber.
Colombia are already into the quarter finals having won their opening two matches while Costa Rica are as good as out having failed to win either of their two matches. They can still qualify if the USA don’t win but it would take a huge goal difference turnaround.
Colombia have looked very classy in the tournament so far. They have won both of their matches although they were given a major scare by Paraguay in the second half of their game. With two wins from two they have officially qualified and need just a draw to go through as group winners.
James Rodriguez has scored in both of Colombia’s matches so far and if they can win this game then they will avoid Brazil in the quarter final which has to be a big enough incentive to ensure they are on the ball throughout this one.
The North Americans simply have to attack here. They have to win by as big a margin as they can and hope that it is enough although if the US have won earlier in the night then even that is irrelevant.
That isn’t usually how Costa Rica set themselves up to play though so it will be interesting to see if they can change their game to be more attacking without leaving themselves wide open and exposed. They certainly have the attacking talent to score a few goals.
Team News
Given that their qualification is already confirmed it might be that they rest anyone in danger of getting suspended. James Rodriguez has been nursing an injury so he might sit this one out too as Colombia await the knockout stages.
Costa Rica are missing Cristian Gamboa and Marco Urena who are both injured and that is a further blow to their chances here. If they are to achieve the impossible then Joel Campbell is going to need to have his best game of the tournament and inspire those around him.
Head to Head
There have been 13 previous meetings between these two sides with Colombia very much having had the upper hand in most of them. They have nine wins to three for Costa Rica with the solitary draw. Colombia have won the last seven matches including a couple of 4-1 wins in the mid 90s.
Betting
I don’t bet on dead rubbers as a rule and I’m not betting on the outcome of this one either. I would probably fancy Colombia but we don’t truly know how they are going to line up and that has to be more than a slight concern.
With Costa Rica’s predicament how it is though I’m confident we’re going to see goals at one end or the other and with that in mind over 2.5 goals has plenty going for it. If Costa Rica really go for this like they are claiming they are going to do then this should be a wide open game and whoever is playing for Colombia will have the ability to take advantage of it.
This tournament has really opened up in the last few days and I see no reason why this one isn’t going to be wide open too. Assuming that is how it plays out over 2.5 looks an obvious bet.
Tips
WON – Back Over 2.5 goals for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with William Hill
Back it here:
