Costa Rica vs Germany: Four-time champions to get job done
Published:
World Cup 2022: Costa Rica vs Germany odds, preview and tips
Germany remain in grave danger of missing out on the knockout stage of the World Cup for the second successive tournament despite scoring a late equaliser against Spain on Sunday night.
Hansi Flick’s side started Group C with a shock 2-1 defeat by Japan who would have eliminated the Germans had they beaten Costa Rica on Sunday only to suffer a surprising 1-0 loss.
Substitute Niclas Fullkrug then came to the rescue seven minutes from time to earn a 1-1 draw against 2010 champions Spain and keep Germany’s hopes alive.
Ladbrokes make the Germany winning odds just 1/10 to pick up three points in Thursday’s clash with Costa Rica, who are 20/1 outsiders.
Germans to keep it clean
Die Mannschaft should not have too many problems in getting past Costa Rica, who were hammered 7-0 by Spain in their Group E opener, but it should not be forgotten that Los Ticos beat Uruguay and Italy before drawing with England at the 2014 World Cup en route to the quarter-finals where they were eliminated by the Netherlands in a penalty shoot-out.
Germany are likely to need a victory by at least two goals just in case Japan get a point against Spain, but a simple win will be enough if the Samurai Blue are beaten.
Costa Rica bounce back to beat Japan!#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 27, 2022
Four years ago, the four-time champions just needed to beat South Korea to reach the last 16 but conceded two stoppage-time goals in a 2-0 defeat against a team that had lost both their matches and were already eliminated, so they will not be taking this game lightly.
That said, the way Costa Rica were torn apart by Spain suggests there is only one outcome on Thursday when we like #GetAPrice option on Germany to win both halves, over 2.5 goals and keep a clean sheet at 7/4 in the World Cup odds.
Fast start for Flick troops
Germany will be looking to get on the front foot when they take on Costa Rica for the second time in their history, winning 4-2 at the 2006 World Cup in their only previous meeting.
Spain wasted little time in breaching Costa Rica’s defence as Dani Olmo gave his side an 11th-minute lead and Flick is already looking towards a similar outcome.
He said: “We know that this was just the first step and in the next match against Costa Rica we want to create the conditions so we can go through to the round of 16. What is important to me is the mentality is there, they showed what they can do on the pitch.”
Germany could start with Fullkrug for their final group match and with a recognised striker leading the line, the favourites to be leading after a quarter of an hour at 21/10 in the World Cup betting looks a possibility.
Go with Gundogan
Fullkrug and Kai Havertz are both 10/3 to break the deadlock or 5/6 to score on Thursday, but Gundogan looks an interesting prospect at 6/4 to score any time.
The Manchester City midfielder opened the scoring with a penalty in the 2-1 defeat by Japan and is likely to be on spot-kick duties again should the opportunity arise.
We expect Germany to be camped inside their opponents’ half for much of the game and should make plenty of forays into their area where there could be one or two mistimed tackles.
Gundogan has scored 17 goals in 65 appearances for his country and adding to that total is the last of our Costa Rica vs Germany betting tips.
Match Info
Where: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor
When: 19:00, Thursday 1st December
How to watch: ITV
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
