Team USA (7 wins, 2 losses, 4 draws) visits the National Stadium of Costa Rica Wednesday to take on Costa Rica (6-3-4) in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Costa Rica vs. USA odds and lines, and make our best World Cup bets, picks and predictions.
Both teams are in a good position to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
USA enters the match after a 0-0 draw March 24 against Mexico in Mexico City and a 5-1 victory Sunday over Panama behind a hat trick by F Christian Pulisic. It is riding a four-match unbeaten streak in World Cup qualifying. USA has scored 21 and allowed 8 goals in its 13 matches.
Costa Rica plays a slow game with a dominating defense as well. It has allowed just 8 goals, but scored a mere 11. However, it is riding a 3-game World Cup qualifying winning streak and will be at home.
With a win, Costa Rica will pull into a 3-way tie with the USA and Mexico, one that can only be broken if Mexico loses to El Salvador. With goal difference then mattering, the USA is safe from the 4th spot in CONCACAF, which goes for a playoff, unless it loses to Costa Rica by 6 goals.
Costa Rica vs. USA: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:05 a.m ET.
- Money line: Costa Rica +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | USA +127 (bet $100 to win $127) | Draw +205 (bet $100 to win $205)
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +145 | U: -180)
[tipico]
Prediction
Costa Rica 1, USMNT 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN to the DRAW (+205).
Costa Rica hasn’t lost in 3 straight games and is playing quality soccer. Its last loss was 1-0 to Canada on Nov. 31.
In its last 4 road matches, the USA has drawn twice and lost twice, not giving bettors much confidence in the road side despite Sunday’s electric win over Panama.
Also, the USA basically has a World Cup spot locked up, so players like Pulisic may not see a third straight game of high-volume minutes. Given the USA’s struggles on the road and Costa Rica’s recent dominance, I’ll take the draw in this battle.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS.
The Under 2.5 is the best play here, but it’s far too juiced at -180 to really consider, especially as both sides are coming off a match in which the Over 2.5 would have hit.
With that in mind, play BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE at +110 as my best bet. While Costa Rica doesn’t have a thriving attack, it has scored in its last 3 games and will be at home.
As for the US, it’s bringing an A squad captained by Pulisic and M Gio Reyna, who could lead the team’s midfield. USA has scored in 7 of its last 9 qualifying matches.
I expect both to score in this one.
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