In what should be a very exciting second round matchup, Greece is up against Costa Rica on Sunday, as the two teams will battle it out at Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil.
The match will be a trade of some very talented forwards that are on both sides with Costa Rica’s Joel Campell leading the charge for the Ticos and Gioroas Samaras for Greece. Both players have very high level playing experience with Campbell, who signed with Arsenal, currently on loan with Olympiacos, and Samaras who was recently released by his former employer Celtic Rangers in Scotland.
Samaras is excited about his side and stated, “We never stop believing and we will fight till the very last second. Lots of games are decided in the final seconds and not just any old game either.
“It’s happened in some massive matches, with two goals sometimes being scored in the closing seconds. In football, you have to keep on trying to make things happen until the final whistle.” Greece are known to play a more defensive style of play while Costa Rica is more of a free flowing team. Costa Rica’s assistant Luis Marin stated, “It’s crucial for us to score early in the game, especially as Greece are known to tighten up at the back once they score,”
Look for Greece to stay back and pack it in defensively and counter attack as this has been the system that has been implemendted by the Greeks in the past few years.
Costa Rica will be free spirted and look to get the ball to its very talented forward in Joel Campbell. Campbell has a great shot and the Ticos will do what they can to get the ball to his feet. As with any game of this magnitude, I expect both teams to leave it on the field but I do give the edge to the Ticos.
My Prediction: Costa Rica will win this tight match on a late goal. 2-1 Costa Rica
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada.lv:
Costa Rica: Pick Em’ (-155) // +130 Moneyline
Greece: Pick Em’ (+130) // +230 Moneyline
Draw +220
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