El Salvador vs. Costa Rica: Preview and betting tips

Costa Rica will face an important game in their World Cup battle in Qatar on Sunday, flying to El Salvador. Costa Rica will take nothing but a win, with Panama breathing down its neck in the table. What to expect from the match?

El Salvador is no longer motivated after the draw in the last round of qualifying, as they have lost their theoretical chance of qualifying for the barrage. They are sixth in the table and are seven points behind the barrier positions with two rounds to go.

Costa Rica, on the other hand, have won four of their last five matches, which keeps them in fourth place, guaranteeing a barrier. However, it has a one-point lead over fifth-placed Panama and must win in El Salvador without fail.

Darwin Cerén is the mainstay of the home team, the defensive midfielder has a solid performance in the midfield and is the team captain for good reason. Experienced striker Nelson Bonilla has seven goals and two assists in the Costa Rican league.

You know the away star well, Keylor Navas won the Champions League with Real Madrid and now he is catching for PSG. You may remember Joel Campbell from his stints at Arsenal and Villarreal, now he’s in Monterrey, Mexico.

Salvador has long struggled in attack, scoring more than one goal in only one of his last seventeen games.

In addition, Costa Rica boasts an excellent defence, conceding only seven goals (only Canada is better) and keeping a clean sheet in its last four games.

Given the excellent defensive performance of the visitors, I think Costa Rica will win.