World Cup favourites Brazil take on Costa Rica on Friday hoping to bounce back from their frustrating start to the tournament. **video
The Selecao were held to a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their opener and need three points against Costa Rica to kick-start their campaign in Russia. The Central Americans, however, will be desperate to avoid a second straight defeat following a 1-0 loss to Serbia on Sunday. Failure to claim victory would leave them staring down the barrel of an early exit.
It’s set to be a tense and engrossing encounter at the Saint Petersburg Stadium and our friends at Football Whispers have taken a look at the five best ways to bet on the match.
Quick-hitter
The match against the Swiss didn’t go as planned for Brazilian poster-boy Neymar. In his first taste of competitive action for four months, the Paris Saint-Germain forward was outshone by Philippe Coutinho, who scored a stunning goal. Neymar wasn’t as effective as Brazil would have hoped, completing just five of his ten dribbles and being dispossessed seven times.
The world’s most expensive player ended the game a little bit bruised – he was fouled ten times – but Brazil need a win so he will start once more. We expect him to be a bit sharper after getting 90 minutes under his belt and are tipping the former Barcelona attacker to net his 56th goal for Brazil on Friday.
You can back Neymar to score first at +260 with bet365.
First-half bet
After failing to overcome the stubborn Swiss, we’re tipping Brazil to move up a gear for the Costa Rica clash. They took an early lead in the first game and we’re backing them to go one better against Costa Rica, who conceded several chances against Serbia.
Brazil have won nine of their ten previous meetings with Costa Rica, including both World Cup encounters, and we have a feeling Tite’s side will put their Central American counterparts to the sword early on in Saint Petersburg before easing through the second half.
You can back Brazil to lead 2-0 at half-time at +400 with bet365.
Team/player prop
Coutinho scored from outside the box against Switzerland; it was a magnificent curling effort that found the top corner. That was his 11th goal for Brazil, five of which have come from outside the penalty area.
Brazil will likely dominate possession so Coutinho will almost certainly get another chance to score.
The former Liverpool favourite seems to have brought his shooting boots to Russia so we’d recommend backing him to score anytime at -105 with bet365.
Full-game total
Brazil were tested against Switzerland and while Costa Rica are no pushovers, we’re sensing a comfortable victory for the five-time World Cup champions. Costa Rica do not look dangerous in attack. Against Serbia, striker Marco Urena managed just three touches in the opposition box.
Los Ticos have scored with just one of their last 31 shots at the World Cup, so don’t expect Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson to be overly troubled.
Back Neymar to score first and for there to be over two goals in the match at +500 with bet365.
Full-game side
This World Cup has already produced several shocks but we’ll be hugely surprised if Brazil don’t regroup with a convincing victory against Costa Rica.
The last time Brazil failed to win either of their first two group games was 1974 but dropping more points is simply unthinkable for the tournament’s most successful nation.
Back Brazil to win 3-0 at +600 with bet365.
