World Cup 2014 betting: odds on Costa Rica to win, Group D predictions

Costa Rica comes into the World Cup with a solid defense, but they have the worst odds to win their group as well as the worst overall betting odds to win the World Cup.

Bryan Ruiz is the main offensive threat, but the squad was a little unlucky to be drawn into a killer group that includes Italy, England, and Uruguay.

Costa Rica Odds to win World Cup 2014: +250000
Costa Rica Odds to win Group D: +5000

The defense is there and Ruiz and DF Bryan Oviedo, who each play in the Premier League, are good talents, but can their shortcomings in the midfield be overlooked?

That is a big question with a stacked group. They may have to rely on the counter attack for their goals and their defense will have to be stellar for Costa Rica to have any chance to advance to the last 16.

World Cup Prediction for Costa Rica

The draw for Costa Rica was not a kind one, as the other three squads in the group have the talent to go far. They are really outmatched in the midfield by both England and Italy and their defense has a tall task facing a Uruguay squad that has a solid offense.

After qualifying for the World Cup Costa Rica played three friendlies against teams playing this summer and they lost all three. Don't expect much from the squad, as they will leave Brazil without picking up a single point.

How Costa Rica got to the World Cup

Costa Rica finished CONCACAF "Hex" and the reason they did so was their stingy defense that went an incredible 476 minutes without giving up a single goal. However, in seven of their qualifying matches they did not score more than one goal.

Overall, in the qualification process they had five wins, two losses, and three draws. They cannot be taken lightly though, as they did beat the United States and Mexico, who are both in the World Cup this summer.

World Cup Qualifying Results

07/02/13 Panama 2 - 2 Costa Rica

23/03/13 United States 1 - 0 Costa Rica

27/03/13 Costa Rica 2 - 0   Jamaica

08/06/13 Costa Rica 1 - 0 Honduras

12/06/13 Mexico 0 - 0 Costa Rica

19/06/13 Costa Rica 2 - 0 Panama

07/09/13 Costa Rica 3 - 1 United States

11/09/13 Jamaica 1 - 1 Costa Rica

11/10/13 Honduras 1 - 0 Costa Rica

16/10/13 Costa Rica 2 - 1 Mexico

World Cup Group Play Schedule

14/06/14 Uruguay vs. Costa Rica - Estadio Castelão

20/06/14 Italy vs. Costa Rica - Arena Pernambuco

24/06/14 Costa Rica vs. England - Estadio Mineirão

Team Key Players

Bryan Ruiz FW Fulham - Ruiz can be a great striker, but tends to get lost at times and he will have to take advantage of scoring chances this summer, as they may be few and far between.

Bryan Oviedo DF Everton - The leader of the back line will have a tall task in group play facing the solid and ball controlling squads in group play.

Keylor Navas GK Levante - The solid keeper will be the anchor of the defense that must play well for Costa Rica to have any chance.