Group C
Greece vs. Ivory Coast
Japan vs. Colombia
Ivory Coast need just one point and hope that Colombia remain unbeaten in the group stage for the Ivorians to progress and join Colombia in the knockout round.
Japan must win their first match against top side Colombia by a two-goal swing and hope that Ivory Coast and Greece draw for them to qualify.
Greece’s faint hopes of advancing through to round two rely on them beating Ivory Coast and Colombia avoiding defeat against the Japanese.
Colombia’s opening two victories has cemented the South American surge so far this tournament, with Chile and Costa Rica following their straightforward passage into the last sixteen.
Despite three teams still vying to qualify from Group C, Japan could have secured their place already if only they had not let golden opportunities pass them by. Having led for sixty-three minutes against Ivory Coast and let slip three points in the space of two minutes, they may only have needed a draw against the form team in Group C, Colombia. The Japanese’ lack of finishing prowess against 10-man Greece may have doomed their campaign as they failed to convert their wealth of possession and shots on target.
Best bets: Ivory Coast to win to nil 9/4 and Colombia win + BTTS 15/4 – both with Bet 365
Group D
Costa Rica vs. England
Italy vs. Uruguay
In Group D’s winner takes all clash Uruguay must beat Italy to overtake them and qualify as group runners-up at least. Therefore, a stalemate in Natal will reward Italy a last sixteen spot having gone out at the earliest possible stage in 2010.
With rank group outsiders Costa Rica already through to the next round, the onus will be on Roy Hodgson’s Young Lions to go out on a high and win by a two goal margin if they are to avoid collecting the group’s wooden spoon.
The battle to claim the second qualifying sport will promise goals with top class strikers in the frame and two defensive units which have yet to deliver a clean sheet. The hopes of both nations may rest on a moment of genius conjured by Mario Balotelli or Luis Suarez who have both already made their mark on their tournament and scored their country’s past winning goals in the group.
The return of Luis Suarez appears to be the difference from an otherwise ordinary performing Uruguay side up to this point. In their opener the Uruguayans suffered a shock defeat to Costa Rica and have conceded four goals in their first two games. Suarez remains their only player to score in open play and is a risk himself having only been five weeks removed from a minor knee surgery.
Italy’s campaign to date has been up and down, the Azzurri failed to back up their entertaining win over England as they crashed to a single goal defeat by Costa Rica. The Italians were assure of the majority of possession on both games but the unpredictable Balotelli spurned their best chance to take the lead against the South Americans. However, as proved against England, thirty-six year old talisman Andrea Pirlo will pose a real threat with his dead ball quality and passing range against a Uruguay side that have shipped four second half goals so far.
England don’t have a single point to show from their tournament yet, despite rallying back from deficits in previous games against Italy and Uruguay. Their first match against Italy showed attacking promise and potential for large spells yet was undone by well-documented inexperienced defensive capabilities. Having let slip two matches from drawing positions England must keep up their record of scoring in each game if they are to trouble the highly confident Cost Ricans who will play without fear and pressure. Daniel Sturridge showed glimpses of his best against Uruguay and England fans will want him to prove his worth in the final game for him to be considered a lynch pin at the 2016 Euro’s.
Best bets: Uruguay/Italy draw + BTTS 10/3 and Daniel Sturridge to score 2+ 10/1
Tagged With : Daniel Sturridge • Group C • Group D • World Cup