England vs. Costa Rica & Italy vs. Uruguay

England vs. Costa Rica & Italy vs. Uruguay

By Michael Gales Jun 23, 2014

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England are out following two defeats while Costa Rica can top the group with a third successive win. In the other game Italy know a win or draw is good enough for them to progress. Read this World Cup Group D betting article before placing your bets on these upcoming fixtures.

England vs. Costa Rica betting (June 24th)

Despite losing their opening two games 2-1 against Italy and Uruguay and subsequently being eliminated from the World Cup at the group stage for the first time since 1958, England are the 1.893* favourites to beat Costa Rica 4.400*.

England manager Roy Hodgson is set to give an opportunity to some of the squad’s younger players, while Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto has revealed that he will rest some of his players in order to keep them fresh for the second round, with forwards Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz set to start on the bench.

This perhaps is why England are favoured as their second-string team is rated more highly than the Costa Ricans who will top the group with a draw. However a defeat for England will ensure they leave the World Cup with no points for the first time.

The game takes place in Belo Horizonte – where England were beaten by the USA in 1950 which is still considered one of the competition’s greatest upsets.

Costa Rica have scored in all seven of their previous World Cup games with European competition, while defensively England have been poor – they have conceded eight goals in their last three World Cup games, as many as the previous 14 games combined.

Handicap bettors should take note that England have failed to cover the spread so far, while Costa Rica have done so in both their games. With the market set at -0.5 in Costa Rica’s favour, have the bookmakers underestimated their strength once more?

Italy vs. Uruguay betting (June 24th)

After both teams lost against surprise package Costa Rica, only one team will qualify for the round of 16.

In a group that consists of three World Cup winners, know one expected two to be eliminated but with England already gone, either Italy or Uruguay will join them.

Both nations have three points after beating England and losing against Costa Rica, but the Azzurri hold the advantage thanks to their better goal difference, meaning a draw will see them advance to the Round of 16.

Uruguay arrive with momentum after Luis Suarez’s great display against England, on his return from injury, and Italy will know a defeat would mean their second group phase elimination in a row.

Odds suggest this game is tight with Italy slightly favoured at 2.780* (35.97% chance of an Italian win) over Uruguay who are priced at 2.800* (implied probability of 35.71%). The handicap is also set at 0, and both teams covered in their game against England.

Italy have won only twice in nine games against the Uruguayans, however in two World Cup meetings they haven’t scored, while the last game saw the teams draw at the 2013 Confederations Cup before Italy won on penalties in a third-place decider.

*Odds subject to change

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