World Cup Diary: Punter can land 600/1 gamble if England lose

England fan Scott Jardine stands on the verge of a £3000 windfall if Costa Rica beat England after being the only person in the country to back the outsiders to win all three group games at the World Cup at 600/1.

Jardine, 41, from Worthing, builds beach huts for a living and is understood to be the only punter to have placed a bet on Costa Rica winning all three of their group matches against Uruguay, Italy and England respectively.

The ambitious punter placed his £5 stake on the seemingly unlikely outcome at Ladbrokes.com and will be the only Englishman celebrating if Los Ticos compound a miserable World Cup campaign for the Three Lions later on in Belo Horizonte.

Jardine explained his thought process: “I didn’t fancy England at all and I thought Costa Rica were the team who would be best suited by the conditions.

I looked at their qualification results and they didn’t concede many goals and I thought the players would all be hungry to perform at the World Cup.”

Jardine also let slip another reason for opposing England, “I’m an England fan but I’m half Scottish. I had no expectation for England at all and I think they produced their best at this World Cup.”

When asked how Jardine felt to be the only punter in the country believed smart enough to place that particular bet, he said:

“I’m absolutely amazed that no one else had the same opinion as me. I feel chuffed and quite clever.”

As for the game on Tuesday, Jardine admitted “I’m the only England fan who will enjoy Tuesday night. It will be tough for England to come home after losing all three games but I won’t care as I’ll have won a few quid.

I’ve only ever won a few hundred before so I’ll have a few beers before the game and plenty more after if the bet comes in.”

Costa Rica are now 100/1 to win the World Cup having been 4000/1 at the start of the tournament. 

Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: “It’s odds-on Scott will be the only England fan cheering if the Three Lions crash to another defeat.

“He’s proof when England are involved sometimes you have to let your head overrule your heart to cash in.”

Ladbrokes latest betting

Costa Rica -10/3
Draw – 13/5
England 17/20

Costa Rica to win the World Cup 100/1 (was 4000/1)

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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