Costa Rica v Canada betting tips: Injuries a concern for Reds in Texas
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Costa Rica v Canada betting tips and odds
Costa Rica were one of two teams to reach the knockout stage with a perfect record and are slight favourites at 29/20 to secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup at the expense of injury-hit Canada.
Victories against Jamaica, Suriname and Guadalupe meant Los Ticos finished top of the group and within touching distance of a first semi-final appearance since 2017.
Recent meetings between the nations have been close so let’s check out the markets and odds for the Texas shoot-out in our Costa Rica v Canada betting tips.
Match Odds
Canada last made it to the semi-finals in 2007 but an encouraging performance against the United States suggests this could be their year, but their injury problems have worsened with the loss of main attackers Ayo Akinola and Cyle Larin coming after Alphonso Davies returned to Bayern Munich with an injury.
The Canadians edged possession at 55% and won the shot count 14-6 against the USMNT, but lost 1-0 to the tournament hosts who scored with their only effort on target.
Canada had won their first two group games 4-1 against Martinique and Haiti, with Besiktas striker Larin scoring three of those goals and former Cardiff winger Junior Hoilett bagging a penalty against the latter.
PIETTE REACTION:
"We're frustrated with that result. I think we deserved better." #CANMNT #GoldCup21 pic.twitter.com/9TMjzHs02v
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) July 19, 2021
John Herdman’s side are 7/4 to beat Costa Rica at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, but four of the last five meetings since 2007 have ended in draws, three of which took place at the Gold Cup.
Canada’s defence has looked shaky in the early stages, falling behind to Martinique and USA inside the first 10 minutes, the latter coming after just 20 seconds.
The Reds can be backed at 16/1 to win from behind and Costa Rica are available at 13/2 to be in front after a quarter of an hour bearing in mind they took a sixth-minute lead against Guadeloupe.
That said, Costa Rica’s last two matches were goalless at the break which is priced at 5/4.
Talking Tactics
Former Arsenal striker Joel Campbell, now playing in Mexico, is likely to lead the Costa Rica attack in a 4-3-3 formation, although he played right wing in the first two games.
Ageless captain Bryan Ruiz has started two of the games and is set to take his place in midfield.
Canada coach Herdman went with a 3-4-3 against the United States but will have to go back to the drawing board in the absence of Akinola and Larin.
Match Info
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
When: 00:00, Monday 26th July
How to watch: Premier Sports
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
